Will the member take an intervention?

No. I have taken a couple of interventions. I was hoping that Mr Lyle would intervene, but he has not.

I always regret letting in John Mason, because he makes the most obscure points. This is a debate about local government funding.

My word—we have the old English excuse.

I am not saying that at all.

I tried to intervene on the minister because I did not think that he had fully answered Mr Wightman’s question.

Oh, here is Mr Lyle—we have got him to intervene.

Councils are being forced to increase council tax because of years of underfunding by this Government.

Local government has been hit, as always. Council tax bills are going up and services will be poorer.

Will the member take an intervention?