Budget Resolutions and Economic Situation — amendment of the law
Oral Answers to Questions — Prime Minister
2:33 pm
Stuart Bell (Second Church Estates Commissioner; Middlesbrough, Labour)
If I may say so, it is a bit offensive for the hon. Gentleman, in this House of Commons, to read from a Red Book-which I assume is the Red Book containing this Budget-and expect me to have read it, given that I have been sitting here since 11 am and the document has only just been made public.
Let us return to the point. Yes, there will be a reduction in public expenditure. The Chancellor has said it, and the Prime Minister has said it, but we have used the phrase "efficiency savings". We are not going to cut in the way that the Conservative party promises-not offers-to cut, and that is the message that we will take to the country. I will ask every public sector worker in my constituency, "Do you think your job is safe under a Conservative Government?" You will find, Mr. Deputy Speaker, a battleground there, and I will wager that you will be surprised by the result.