Economic Growth
9th June 2010
Margot James asks for assurances from Treasury Minister David Gauke that the hopelessly optimistic growth estimates endemic in the last Government will not be repeated under the new Government.
Margot James (Stourbridge) (Con): When I was in business, it was the oldest trick in the book for managers to come in with hopelessly optimistic growth estimates. Does the Minister think that that was endemic in the last Administration, and has he greater confidence, now that we have the impending Office for Budget Responsibility, that it will not be the case with our Administration so that, for the first time in many years, we will have realistic growth estimates?
Mr Gauke: It is clearly very important that we have credible growth projections. We look forward to hearing the projections from the Office for Budget Responsibility. As for the previous Government's record, time will tell.
