BEING at the centre of Government is stressful, challenging and enjoyable, according to East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds.

He is now a junior minister in the treasury department, and his boss is the Chancellor, George Osborne.

The Conservative MP who lives between Petersfield and Alton said: “It’s also challenging and stretching but very enjoyable, being a secretary in the Exchequer, a junior minister.

“I am involved in quite a diverse range of matters such as excise duty, child care and North Sea oil.

“There’s a lot of variety, but that means I have to be knowledgable about a lot of different things.”

His knowledge can be tested to the full at question time in the House of Commons, when he has to face questions from Opposition MPs, as well as queries fromConservative backbenchers.

He said: “Question time is the most nerve-wracking part of the job, even though MPs raising a question have to submit it in advance.

“But once that’s been answered they can ask a follow up question on that topic, often designed to try and catch you out.

“And as I have quite a broad portfolio, I have to know a lot of detail.”

The main role of the treasury is to help the Chancellor formulate the Government’s financial policy.

The primary objective is for the country to be able to run on what it earns, rather than borrowing money.

Then a real assault will be launched on reducing the national debt, comprised of billi0ns of pounds which have been borrowed to run the country.

Mr Hinds said: “In 2010 the borrowing under Labour had risen to about £5,500 per year per household, now it’s £3,300 a year. The national debt is still growing, but more slowly as less is being borrowed, and it is planned there will be virtually zero borrowing by 2020.

“In the autumn statement the Chancellor will lay out his plans for reducing borrowing for the next five years, and we are about half way to our target in terms of reducing spending and cutting borrowing.”