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    Benn calls for further CSR debate



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    22nd October 2010

    The Commons should have more time to debate the details of the comprehensive spending review (CSR), Hilary Benn has said.

    The shadow Commons leader said that the government was denying MPs the chance to debate the chancellor's "reckless gamble".

    During questions on future business, Benn also criticised the front bench for "cheering" at the end of the statement, when "other people were about to lose their jobs".

    Benn said: "Will you find more time so we can debate why ministers who have just got jobs were cheering at the end of the statement yesterday when other people are about to lose their jobs?

    "Will you find time to debate the chief secretary's inability on television yesterday to explain why the poorest 10 per cent in society will be forced to pay more to reduce the deficit than almost anybody else - when his boss claimed that his statement was anchored in fairness?

    "And if the chief secretary can't manage to find the words, perhaps he could walk into the chamber carrying his briefing folder so that we can take a photograph and put a copy in the library?"

    He added: "And how exactly will making 500,000 people in the public sector lose their jobs help the economy to recover to create new jobs?"

    Benn warned that families with children will have to contribute more than twice the amount of the banks "which caused the problem".

    He added: "And how exactly will making nearly 500,000 people in the public sector lose their jobs help the economy to recover and create new jobs?"

    But Commons leader Sir George Young said one day's debate next Thursday will allow an adequate time for debate and MPs could raise their concerns in other ways, including Westminster Hall debates.

    Sir George defended cheers from the Tory frontbench, saying: "The reason why my colleagues were waving their order papers was because it was an outstanding parliamentary performance.

    "And when the shadow chancellor sat down, he didn't get the same response from his own backbenchers."

    He added that when the Labour government introduced its own CSR in 2007 there had been "no debate whatsoever".

    The Commons leader said it was an option for Labour to use one of its opposition days to debate the CSR, adding: "The government has actually found a day out of its own time to debate the CSR."

    Backbench committee chair Natascha Engel noted the upcoming debate on the effect of the spending review on the Department for Work and Pensions, organised by her committee.

    The North East Derbyshire MP referred members to an open public session next Monday where her committee will be inviting new bids for debate subjects. Reminding MPs to attend, she called on the Commons leader to witness the event.

    Sir George said he will be attending the "salon" to see how the "important innovation" operates in practice.

    He also made reference to the importance of select committees and Westminster Hall debates in holding the government to account, suggesting broader ways to debate the CSR.

    James Morris (Con, Halesowen and Rowley Regis) asked which minister would be replying to a debate on the CSR.

    He added: "Who else, in an ideal world, would he like to see speaking in that debate?"

    Sir George said it would be opened by chief secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander and closed by economic secretary Justine Greening.

    He added: "I think it would be helpful if the former prime minister were able to come along and explain what steps he would have taken to address the deficit that he's left us with."



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