ED Vaizey brandished his music chops in Parliament with a series of statements featuring the lyrics of British singer-songwriter Sam Smith.

The Wantage MP snuck no less than six of the star's numbers into a debate about UK musicians overseas, after the Chancellor's Autumn Statement – as well as the title of his bestselling album.

Mr Vaizey – the Minister of State for digital industries – told MPs that "In The Lonely Hour I spent before the Chancellor got to his feet, I didn’t realise how good the settlement was going to be."

After explaining how the music industry would be affected by the spending review, he continued, "so I’ve Told You Now, Mr Howarth, what the settlement means".

He then said those "who gloomily forecast that the Writing’s On The Wall for live music" had nothing to fear, adding the relationship between the UK and US music industries was "unequivocally a Good Thing". 

There was also praise for music festivals which "provide Life Support to their local communities" and a £460m investment by the Government in the music industry, with Mr Vaizey adding "I’ve got Money On My Mind".

In his closing remarks, the minister dropped a major hint to MPs as he said: "Now it is time for me to Lay Me Down my notes."

It is not known if his fellow honourable members understood the references.

Mr Vaizey – who is a Minister of State for the Department of Media Culture and Sport (DMCS) and the Department of Business Innovation and Skills – was pictured with Sam Smith last month.

Tweeting a selfie of himself with the singer, the minister wrote: "Great to see @samsmithworld in @UKParliament- recently crowned 1st ever artist to record a #Bond No1 @officialcharts."

A spokesman for the Department of Media Culture and Sport said: "Ed is consistently a great advocate of British talent."