Oral Answers to Questions

Gareth Thomas Excerpts

Tuesday 21st June 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Hoban]

The hon. Gentleman makes an important point. Work is under way to look at the regulatory position of Northern Ireland credit unions.

[Mr Gareth Thomas (Harrow West) (Lab/Co-op)]

T1. If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.

[The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr George Osborne)]

As set out before, the core purpose of the Treasury is to ensure the stability of the economy, promote growth and jobs, reform banking and clear up the mess in the public finances that we inherited.

[Mr Thomas]

In Harrow, five police sergeant posts have been axed and Wealdstone police station is being closed. Is that the Chancellor’s fault for cutting public services too far and too fast, or should I blame Boris?

[Mr Osborne]

I blame the Labour Government. During the election campaign, the Labour Home Secretary said publicly on television that police numbers would have to be cut if Labour was re-elected.