Tax Credits

Clive Efford Excerpts

Tuesday 27th October 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mr Rees-Mogg]

rose—

[Clive Efford (Eltham) (Lab)]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I say to the hon. Member for Eltham (Clive Efford), who is a very distinguished taxi driver by profession, that he will be aware of the cab rank principle, and also of the principle of waiting in a queue for one’s turn. We will come to him. Don’t worry, he will not go cold. We will look after his interests, I am sure.

--- Later in debate ---

[Alex Salmond]

Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker. I am becoming increasingly concerned about the outbreak of revolutionary fervour among Conservative Members. Has there ever been a precedent for a Chancellor of the Exchequer being outflanked as a defender of the working classes by the House of Lords?

[Clive Efford]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

I think Mr Efford is about to burst, so we had better take his point of order.

[Clive Efford]

I wait at your pleasure, Mr Speaker.

Further to that point of order, may I point out that we have had a general election this year, and that during the campaign the Government were consistently asked whether they had any intention of cutting tax credits? They consistently said that that was not their intention. It is parliamentary convention that the House of Lords does not overturn manifesto commitments, but that measure was not in the Conservative manifesto and there is clear concern in the country about it. It is right that the House of Lords should ask the Government to think again.

[Martin John Docherty (West Dunbartonshire) (SNP)]

rose—