(13 years, 9 months ago)
Commons ChamberUrgent Questions are proposed each morning by backbench MPs, and up to two may be selected each day by the Speaker. Chosen Urgent Questions are announced 30 minutes before Parliament sits each day.
Each Urgent Question requires a Government Minister to give a response on the debate topic.
This information is provided by Parallel Parliament and does not comprise part of the offical record
 Vince Cable
        
    
    
    
    
    
        
        
        
            Vince Cable 
        
    
        
    
        I have heard at least three different sets of recommendations on RBS bonuses, including that they should be reduced and that they should be stopped altogether. If we get a coherent, single source of advice, perhaps I can respond better to it.
 Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con)
        
    
    
    
    
    
        
        
        
            Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con) 
        
    
        
    
        Does the Secretary of State think that it is more important to have a board with diversity or a board with competence, which looks after the shareholders, the workers and the company?
 Vince Cable
        
    
    
    
    
    
        
        
        
            Vince Cable 
        
    
        
    
        I do not accept that there is a dichotomy between diversity and performance. All the evidence suggests that particularly the drive to get more women on boards has nothing to do with political correctness and everything to do with improving performance.