Results 1-20 of 1,252 for (in the 'Commons debates' OR in the 'Westminster Hall debates' OR in the 'Lords debates' OR in the 'Northern Ireland Assembly debates') speaker:Richard Spring

The Maldives (14 Oct 2009)

Richard Spring: The new President of the Maldives has inherited a difficult fiscal position, as my hon. Friend is aware. It is extraordinary to note that, for a country of its size, the Maldives has a relatively large fiscal deficit and inherited debt is high. Yet in absolute terms, relative to DFID's entire budget, the sum needed would be relatively small to begin to address the matter. Just to support my...

City of London (14 Oct 2009)

Richard Spring: I know that my hon. Friend is aware of the fact, but because of the long-standing nature and history of the City of London, its livery companies and various guilds, as charitable foundations, are hugely focused on the broader community, not only in London but outside. They generously contribute to all parts of the United Kingdom in a most commendable way.

City of London (14 Oct 2009)

Richard Spring: This is an important point. Some of the countries that have perhaps been driving the ambition for further regulation have virtually no hedge fund activity. Does my hon. Friend agree that the success of the City of London and the diversity of financial services—I agree that financial services should be properly regulated, but that has not been the case in the past—are hugely...

City of London (14 Oct 2009)

Richard Spring: I must apologise on three points: for disturbing the hon. Gentleman's thought patterns in the House of Commons Library last night, and also for working at some point at both Merrill Lynch and Lehman Brothers. I have a certain amount of form on this. I would like to point out that in the eyes of many, both in this country and abroad, we have a very oligopolistic structure—I am sure that...

City of London (14 Oct 2009)

Richard Spring: I would point out to the hon. Gentleman that there is no evidence at all that the financial crisis that so catastrophically affected this country and others was the result of the activities of hedge funds. I simply say, as gently as I can, that although one wants ultimately to protect the financial services industry—in the European Union, London is the jewel in the crown—the huge...

Business, Innovation and Skills: Automotive Assistance Programme (16 Jul 2009) has video

Richard Spring: What progress has been made on the automotive assistance programme.

Business, Innovation and Skills: Automotive Assistance Programme (16 Jul 2009) has video

Richard Spring: Well, Mr. Speaker, it certainly was well worth waiting for. Have any specific discussions been undertaken with Nissan, and, if so, have any assurances been given about jobs located in the United Kingdom?

Oral Answers to Questions — Treasury: Topical Questions (14 Jul 2009) has video

Richard Spring: Given the parlous state of the public finances and the need to borrow so extensively internationally, does the right hon. Gentleman not understand that the failure to bring forward a comprehensive spending review will make it even more difficult and uncertain to borrow from the capital markets?

[Mr. Martin Caton in the Chair] — Middle East (24 Jun 2009)

Richard Spring: I thank the hon. Gentleman for the courtesy of his comments. He might not be aware that although a substantial percentage of Iraqi refugees in Syria are Christians, they come from a variety of faiths, but do not live in separate conditions. It is interesting how the pervasive culture of Syria has influenced them, and that the tensions that existed between those communities in Iraq have...

[Mr. Martin Caton in the Chair] — Middle East (24 Jun 2009)

Richard Spring: It is a pleasure to have you presiding over our proceedings, Mr. Caton. I welcome the Minister to his new role and wish him well in it. I am reminded of Vera Lynn's "We'll Meet Again", because we come together every few years. I look forward to what he has to say on this important subject. The middle east may not be our near geographical neighbour, but we cannot escape from our involvement in...

[Mr. Martin Caton in the Chair] — Middle East (24 Jun 2009)

Richard Spring: My hon. Friend is right. I pay tribute to him for the work that he has done to develop that argument. I am sure that he will agree that although a comprehensive settlement in the region would be desirable, that is presenting huge difficulties, not least because of the seemingly irreconcilable tensions between Fatah and Hamas. It would be a shame if that was a major stumbling block or...

[Mr. Martin Caton in the Chair] — Middle East (24 Jun 2009)

Richard Spring: The hon. Gentleman is right to raise the long-term significance of a relationship between Iran and the United Kingdom. However, at a moment when two of our diplomats have just been expelled from Tehran for no reason—apparently, the British Government are behind the protests on the streets of Tehran, which is an interesting take on events—the British Government are absolutely right...

[Mr. Martin Caton in the Chair] — Middle East (24 Jun 2009)

Richard Spring: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for mentioning the humanitarian aspect. I certainly know individuals whose family origins lie in the Golan heights. Of course, the humanitarian tragedies that abound in the region are what we are seeking to address. That applies on all sides of the equation. Although the Golan heights are occupied, I do not think that even people in the Israel defence...

Oral Answers to Questions — Treasury: Debt Reduction (9 Jun 2009) has video

Richard Spring: Given the way our debts are growing, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that according to The Economist, our Budget deficit this year as a percentage of GDP will be the highest in the entire industrialised world?

Oral Answers to Questions — Treasury: Fiscal Framework (28 Apr 2009) has video

Richard Spring: How many times have the time spans of the so-called golden rule and the sustainable involvement rule changed in the past 10 years?

Council Tax Rebate: The Economy (31 Mar 2009) has video

Richard Spring: In his Mansion House speech in June 2007, the Prime Minister actually congratulated the City on its global pre-eminence and looked ahead to furthering the objective of light-touch regulation. Today we can look at the wreckage of the failed tripartite regulatory system, the deterioration of our international competitiveness and a massive increase in the involvement of the state. The pound...

Oral Answers to Questions — Work and Pensions: G20 Finance Ministers' Meeting (16 Mar 2009) has video

Richard Spring: In view of the universal criticism of the expensive VAT cut in this country, will the Chancellor say how many other members of the G20 have followed or plan to follow the Government's path in that direction?

[Mrs. Joan Humble in the Chair] — Unitary Authorities (24 Feb 2009)

Richard Spring: I add my warm congratulations to my hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Norfolk (Mr. Simpson) on making the case so admirably. Obviously, I speak on behalf of Suffolk residents. In February 2008, the boundary committee began a structural review of local government in Suffolk, and came up with two proposals, including excluding Lowestoft from Suffolk, of which it is historically part, and...

Oral Answers to Questions — Treasury: Banking Industry (12 Feb 2009) has video

Richard Spring: Has the Treasury made an assessment of the role and influence of external credit agencies in the analysis of financial regulation for our financial services industry?

Oral Answers to Questions — Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform: Consumer Demand (5 Feb 2009) has video

Richard Spring: Given the universally held view at home and abroad that the VAT cut has been ineffective in stimulating demand, what assessment has the Department made of the effect of the VAT cut on slumping car sales in this country?