Oral Answers to Questions

Julian Smith Excerpts

Wednesday 15th September 2010 Commons Chamber

The Prime Minister was asked—

[Julian Smith (Skipton and Ripon) (Con)]

Q1. If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 15 September.

[The Prime Minister (Mr David Cameron)]

I am sure that the House will wish to join me in paying tribute to Kingsman Darren Deady from 2nd Battalion the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment who died on Friday after being injured in Helmand province on 23 August. We are for ever indebted to him for the sacrifice that he has made. We send our sincere condolences to his family, friends and comrades who all miss him very much. He will not be forgotten.

This morning, I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall have further such meetings later today.

[Julian Smith]

May I add my sympathies to those of the Prime Minister?

At a time when we need to maximise growth and restore our public finances, is it not the height of irresponsibility that the unions are planning to go on strike, and should not former Ministers be ashamed of themselves for encouraging it?

[The Prime Minister]

My hon. Friend makes a very good point. Everyone in the country—the trade unions included—knows that we have to cut public spending, that we have to get the deficit down and that we have to keep interest rates down. It is the height of irresponsibility for shadow Ministers to troop off to the TUC and tell it that it is all right to go on strike. They should be ashamed of themselves.