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Proceeding contribution from Malcolm Rifkind (Conservative) in the House of Commons on Tuesday, 22 November 2005. It occurred during Opposition day on Welfare Reform and Incapacity Benefit.


Welfare Reform and Incapacity Benefit

I shall not give way for the moment. When asked why, the Prime Minister said, ““Well, you know, there has been a change of Minister at the head of the Department.”” This, we are told, is the official reason why the Green Paper now cannot come out until next year. Well, when the right hon. Member for Sheffield, Brightside was appointed Secretary of State back in May, that was not given as a reason for delay; far from it. The Prime Minister confirmed that the original timetable was going to be held to. We know exactly why the delay has taken place. If the Secretary of State will forgive me, it has nothing to do with his appointment. It has to do with the very serious differences of view, to put it mildly, between the Prime Minister and the previous Secretary of State—and perhaps the present incumbent. We just do not know yet what the present incumbent’s view is. But what we do know—


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
439 c1394-5 
Session
2005-06
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Benefits rules Eligibility Incapacity benefit Social security Social security benefits Reform Pathways to work programme
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk