Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Robert Courts Excerpts
Wednesday 22nd January 2020

(4 years, 3 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Oliver Dowden Portrait Oliver Dowden
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The hon. Lady raises a very important point about the need to move Government activity out of London. That is why, for example, we have created a default whereby when new agencies are created, they must be located outside London and the south-east. I know that the Prime Minister is determined to go further and faster with that agenda.

Robert Courts Portrait Robert Courts (Witney) (Con)
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I welcome the manifesto commitment to offer guaranteed interviews for veterans—people for whom public service is so hugely important—in the public sector. Will the Minister confirm that the Government will be taking that forward with real energy as they consider wider reform?

Oliver Dowden Portrait Oliver Dowden
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As ever, my hon. Friend raises an important point. People who have served in our armed forces can also make an enormous contribution to wider life, including in the civil service. That is why I am determined that we deliver on that manifesto commitment, and I have already instructed officials to make that happen.