Barry Sheerman
Main Page: Barry Sheerman (Labour (Co-op) - Huddersfield)
Vince Cable
This is slightly in danger of getting out of control, but I compliment the hon. Gentleman on his nerve in pursuing it.
Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op)
May I give an unalloyed welcome to the fact that we are to have a green investment bank? It is great news. As someone who is very much involved in the third sector environmentally, the one aspect on which I would push the Secretary of State a bit further is the need for third sector co-operation. That sector has been very hard hit by some other Government policies. I am also a little worried by one of his previous answers when he said that small and medium-sized companies will not be eligible for much of the funding.
Vince Cable
I did not say that they were not eligible; I referred to the fact that the initial round was likely to involve large-scale projects. However, I thank the hon. Gentleman for his very positive comments. As for the third sector, I did not respond to the point made by the right hon. Member for Southampton, Itchen (Mr Denham) about participation in the advisory board, which we will certainly reflect on. It was a helpful contribution.