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Richmond upon Thames Liberal Democrats:Covering the constituencies of Twickenham and Richmond Park |
Horwood, Pugh and Sanders quiz Cameron at PMQs
October 23, 2011 10:21 AM
• [Oct 19] Martin Horwood (Cheltenham, Liberal Democrat): WILL the Prime Minister join me in congratulating Cheltenham borough council on building the first new council housing in 20 years and planning more and more affordable housing on brownfield sites, but also recognise the council's anxiety that the first draft of the new national planning policy framework could render it powerless to defend vital and treasured green spaces on the urban fringe, which are being deliberately targeted by developers?
David Cameron (Prime Minister; Witney, Conservative): Let me reassure the hon. Gentleman on the planning policy. We are not making changes to green belt or other protections, and I am sure he can discuss that with the planning Minister. Of course I congratulate all local councils that get on and build the houses that we badly need to house the homeless and deal with overcrowding. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will welcome the announcements that have been made-the Deputy Prime Minister and I have been working closely on this-to ensure that we use money from the right to buy to build more social housing so that we end the scandal of overcrowded housing.
. . John Pugh (Southport, Liberal Democrat): Given the huge savings for the nation made by the Cabinet Office across government without legislation and the huge financial risks provoked by constant structural reorganisation, as in the NHS, would it not be better if politicians learned to manage more and meddle less-even if Governments find the latter easier and more interesting?
David Cameron (Prime Minister; Witney, Conservative): My hon. Friend makes an important point. Let me pay tribute to the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, my right hon. Friend Mr Maude, who does this patient work at the heart of government and does not always get recognised for it. We have reduced management consultants by 70%, saving £870 million; we have spent £490 million less on temporary labour; we have spent £400 million less on marketing and advertising: that is an 80% reduction. These are serious changes to cut the cost of central Government and make sure we provide good value for money. None of those things was done under the last Government.
. . Adrian Sanders (Torbay, Liberal Democrat): As a result of inaccurate reporting and statements about a European directive applying to insulin-dependent diabetics, up to a million such people fear for their driving licences. Is it not the case that the way in which Department of Transport interprets that directive will determine whether or not people lose their licences? Will the Prime Minister make the position clear?
895)
David Cameron (Prime Minister; Witney, Conservative): I will certainly try to do that.
I entirely understand my hon. Friend's concern, which is shared by many insulin-treated diabetics throughout the country who want to continue to drive freely as they have in the past, but I can reassure him that relatively few of them will lose their licences as a result of the directive to which he has referred. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency is going back to the European commission to check its understanding of the interpretation of the minimum standards in the directive. As Members in all parts of the House probably know, Departments gold-plate directives on too many occasions, and it cannot be said too often that they should stop it.
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