Eurozone (Contingency Plans) Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Eurozone (Contingency Plans)

Alec Shelbrooke Excerpts
Monday 20th June 2011

(12 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Mark Hoban Portrait Mr Hoban
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I am not going to comment on whether the eurozone will remain intact. Clearly, this crisis demonstrates the huge strain that the eurozone is under. That is why it was right for us to stay out of the eurozone.

Alec Shelbrooke Portrait Alec Shelbrooke (Elmet and Rothwell) (Con)
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Does the Minister agree that one of Greece’s biggest problems is that its people, backed up by the unions, have not accepted the austerity measures going through? Is that not a timely warning to unions in this country, which are complaining about how we are trying to get the deficit under control, of the consequences unless proper and sensible action is taken?

Mark Hoban Portrait Mr Hoban
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My hon. Friend has made an important point. It is clear that difficult decisions must be made if our economy is to be put back on the right track, and the Government are demonstrating their commitment to making them. Interest rates are lower than they would have been if we had not made those tough decisions, which is good for families and good for businesses.