Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Hunt of Wirral (Conservative). It was answered on Thursday, 12 November 2009.

Enterprise Champion

Question: My Lords, is the Minister aware that it has been reported that the noble Lord, Lord Sugar, recently described struggling businessmen as "moaners"? Is he aware that many people rapidly concluded that the First Secretary of State should just summon him and say, "You’re fired"? On inquiry with the noble Lord last night, he said that his remarks had been incorrectly reported, adding that there was a recording of them, which I hope he might place in the House of Lords Library to clear this matter up once and for all. Be that as it may, would the Minister please clarify whether the noble Lord, Lord Sugar, is accountable to this House and whether, when he speaks on enterprise matters, he speaks with the full authority of the Government?

Answer: My Lords, with Sir Alan—or, I should say, my noble friend Lord Sugar—you will get sugar and spice. He has a wide-ranging career of business success. He uses colourful language forcefully. He has spoken to over 2,000 businesses across the UK. His events have been a sell-out. I could give the House many quotes complimenting him on his performance. I shall not; I shall give just one: "very open, no hidden issues, very straight responses". I think that it was the Searchers—I am showing my age—who sang "Sugar and Spice", so the Opposition should not search to criticise but should compliment somebody who is doing government business for nothing. I see him regularly and he is doing a good job for the Government.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 714 c900
Session: 2008-09
Oral question type: 1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Subjects: Accountability Business Special advisers Sugar, Lord Official engagements
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk