Budget Leak Inquiry Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Budget Leak Inquiry

John Hemming Excerpts
Thursday 22nd March 2012

(12 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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David Gauke Portrait Mr Gauke
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I have answered the hon. Gentleman’s first point. I should also reiterate that we have a coalition, which means that there are negotiations and discussions involving both sides. It also means that the Budget tends to be finalised some days in advance of the Budget speech. That is quite a contrast to previous years, when revisions were made, documents pulped and decisions taken at the last minute. I think that we have a much better process, thanks to the discussions within the coalition and the involvement of the Office for Budget Responsibility.

John Hemming Portrait John Hemming (Birmingham, Yardley) (LD)
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Does the Minister believe that the Opposition would improve by getting some consistency on whether information should or should not be released?

David Gauke Portrait Mr Gauke
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We can hope for consistency, but I am not an optimist on that front.