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Fiscal Responsibility Bill

Absolutely. I would simply add that the House is sometimes accused, by the public, on the "Today" programme and by Jeremy Paxman or whoever it may be—I saw my right hon. Friend the Member for Wokingham on his programme only yesterday—of Punch and Judy politics, of engaging in an absurd charade or piece of theatre in the Chamber, and of simply trying to knock the other chap off the perch. However, the Bill demonstrates that the public most urgently need this House to examine legislation. The complete failure of the Government to meet their responsibilities is demonstrated by the production of a Bill of this kind. We must look at what the Prime Minister did from 1997 onwards, when he was Chancellor of the Exchequer.