:00:09. > :00:15.Hello and welcome to BBC Parliament's live coverage from the
:00:16. > :00:18.House of Commons. In an hour the leader of the house Chris Grayling
:00:19. > :00:22.and will announce the forthcoming business in the chamber and take
:00:23. > :00:26.questions from backbenchers. The main business is a backbench
:00:27. > :00:30.business debate on the effects of the government proposed reforms to
:00:31. > :00:35.tax credits. Remember to join me for a round-up of the day in both Houses
:00:36. > :00:40.of Parliament at 11pm this evening. First, we have questions to the
:00:41. > :00:41.Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin and his team of
:00:42. > :01:02.ministers. Order. Transport the London bill,
:01:03. > :01:08.Lords revival motion. I beg to move. Motion to be taken what day? Very
:01:09. > :01:14.appropriately Thursday, the 5th of November. Thursday the 5th of
:01:15. > :01:21.November. Order, questions to the Secretary of State the transport.
:01:22. > :01:28.Question number one. The current difference between laboratory
:01:29. > :01:34.testing and real emissions. The agreement we secured in Brussels to
:01:35. > :01:40.introduce real-world testing in 2017 is an important milestone. We will
:01:41. > :01:44.continue to press the EU for a comprehensive approach on emissions
:01:45. > :01:58.testing that restores confidence and the livers climb it -- and delivers
:01:59. > :02:04.climb it objectives -- climate. The UK's managing director said the
:02:05. > :02:11.target of 2016 might not be deliverable. How can he assure the
:02:12. > :02:18.house that this can be achieved by 2016? Volkswagen have acted
:02:19. > :02:23.disgracefully in this whole episode. I will be looking to them
:02:24. > :02:25.to ensure they live up to the expectations they promised
:02:26. > :02:34.originally and will be working to make sure that happens. Does he
:02:35. > :02:38.agree that Volkswagen has shattered trust in motor vehicle testing and
:02:39. > :02:42.we need to move at pace to real-world testing to restore
:02:43. > :02:50.confidence in the public? I do agree. I think both when I appeared
:02:51. > :02:55.before the Select Committee, just a few weeks ago, I made that position
:02:56. > :02:57.abundantly clear. I think progress made yesterday is progress made
:02:58. > :03:05.yesterday is progressing the right direction. The still unfolding
:03:06. > :03:09.scandal of Volkswagen has lifted the lid on the more widespread problem
:03:10. > :03:13.about emissions testing which was known about for a long time. Why
:03:14. > :03:19.didn't the Department act sooner in doing something about it? It has two
:03:20. > :03:24.B said that's the honourable lady says it was known about a long time,
:03:25. > :03:42.but in truth if one looks at the amount of diesel sold in 2001, it
:03:43. > :03:47.was 460,000, 17%. In 2009, -- 815,000, if it was known about for
:03:48. > :04:03.some time it is not this government but the previous that is culpable.
:04:04. > :04:08.The new London taxi is zero. I have travelled in one of those taxes.
:04:09. > :04:17.That is part of the answer we will continue to support our programme of
:04:18. > :04:23.support for some 1.2 million cars have been affected across the UK and
:04:24. > :04:29.it is important to be mindful of drivers, they are facing a higher
:04:30. > :04:36.road tax. Does he agree the financial implications should we
:04:37. > :04:39.give in to Volkswagen and Audi for this disgraceful thing that
:04:40. > :04:47.happened? I do not think there will be an increase in taxes, we have
:04:48. > :04:54.made that clear. But it is something that VW will have to addressing
:04:55. > :05:00.course. Is the reality, though, that Biddestone's statements are leaving
:05:01. > :05:04.motorists concerned about air quality number wise. Can he clear
:05:05. > :05:08.the air on one point and that is what happened at the EU technical
:05:09. > :05:13.committee yesterday. It was not just about setting a timetable for new
:05:14. > :05:19.cars to conform with existing emissions, did it not also involve
:05:20. > :05:23.permission to breach those limits by 50%, that being open ended
:05:24. > :05:28.permission, and isn't that what the UK representative voted for? What
:05:29. > :05:32.was important was because agreement for real-world emissions testing
:05:33. > :05:40.across Europe and this was something... This has been objected
:05:41. > :05:44.to the pass. We pressed for it and I am pleased we achieved it. He said
:05:45. > :05:50.it is not as much or as fast as he would like, but I would say we have
:05:51. > :05:52.made more progress in the six months of this new Conservative government
:05:53. > :06:05.than ever made in the last government. The government remains
:06:06. > :06:08.committed to delivering the vital benefits these projects will provide
:06:09. > :06:14.to passengers as part of the replanning of this programme I
:06:15. > :06:21.expect Sir Peter Hendy to ensure schemes deliver value for money.
:06:22. > :06:26.With the minister agree the tripling of costs to over 2.5 billion pounds
:06:27. > :06:30.is breathtaking and will he take the time to learn lessons from Scotland
:06:31. > :06:36.where major capital projects are coming in on time and budget largely
:06:37. > :06:41.as a result of proper planning and good contract negotiation, so
:06:42. > :06:49.further public money is not thrown away in this cavalier fashion? I am
:06:50. > :06:53.always willing to learn lessons from wherever they are valid, be that
:06:54. > :07:04.Scotland or anywhere else and I will not look for advice on providing
:07:05. > :07:10.tram systems! What I would say is some of these programmes and the
:07:11. > :07:20.honourable lady is a member of the PAC, and therefore was in the
:07:21. > :07:25.position of hearing evidence by Mark Carne and the Permanent Secretary
:07:26. > :07:28.and some have run over budget that they are huge schemes, very
:07:29. > :07:35.important schemes, and making the railway system modern for the 21st
:07:36. > :07:40.century is important. As regards value for money of the great Western
:07:41. > :07:44.mainline, would he agree electrification is one factor that
:07:45. > :07:51.makes the reopening of the station a more valuable project that needs to
:07:52. > :07:55.remain high on the agenda. I am sure it will remain high on the agenda as
:07:56. > :08:00.long as my honourable friend presses for it.
:08:01. > :08:07.I look forward to discussing it with my honourable friend and see if we
:08:08. > :08:11.can help my honourable friend get what she wishes. Electrification of
:08:12. > :08:17.the great Western and Valley lines are two sides of the same coin, with
:08:18. > :08:20.both meaning a great deal to the South Wales economy. What
:08:21. > :08:24.discussions as he had with the Welsh Government counterpart on the
:08:25. > :08:32.delivery date for electrification of the Valley lines? We made money
:08:33. > :08:37.available to the Welsh Assembly, 125 million. I have met with Edwina Hart
:08:38. > :08:41.and discuss the programme and I am in contact with my right honourable
:08:42. > :08:44.friend the Secretary of State for Wales and it is a matter for the
:08:45. > :08:49.assembly to come forward with their plans. I congratulate him for
:08:50. > :08:54.confirmation the Midland Main line will be electrified to Kettering by
:08:55. > :08:57.2019. Can he assure the house the lessons learned from the great
:08:58. > :09:02.Western electrification will be applied to that line so it can be
:09:03. > :09:07.delivered quickly and efficiently? A neat body swerve to ensure his
:09:08. > :09:17.question is in order. The textbook example to colleagues!
:09:18. > :09:23.Was that the answer, Mr Speaker?! I have now forgotten what the
:09:24. > :09:30.question was! Mr Speaker, I certainly agree with
:09:31. > :09:36.my honourable friend. It is very important to re-establish the
:09:37. > :09:43.Midland mainline electrification. It is a line I use regularly. Lessons
:09:44. > :09:50.need to be learned. Work had already started. What was important about
:09:51. > :09:54.the plan that is being developed is that we look at the whole line
:09:55. > :09:56.development because there are certain things on the Midland Main
:09:57. > :10:08.line that can be done to increase speed and that is important as well.
:10:09. > :10:17.One reason for extra cost is compensation. Is it in the public
:10:18. > :10:21.interest to publish those payments, and those spent on infrastructure
:10:22. > :10:25.not those lining the pockets of shareholders? We make the best we
:10:26. > :10:30.can with the huge investment we put into railways and I am proud of the
:10:31. > :10:36.improvements that have taken place on the great Western.
:10:37. > :10:40.Electrification is part of it. Completion of the station and the
:10:41. > :10:46.flyover that happens so the line is no longer held up by freight trains
:10:47. > :10:54.has been an improvement and serves his those in the south-west
:10:55. > :11:05.incredibly well. Question three, if you please, Mr Speaker. Network Rail
:11:06. > :11:13.assesses risks on crossings. The UK has the best level crossing safety
:11:14. > :11:21.record in the EU. There is work to reduce that risk still further.
:11:22. > :11:26.What a lot of waffle after the Beech Hill tragedy in 2012 Network Rail
:11:27. > :11:32.said it would get rid of all level crossings in Bassetlaw on the East
:11:33. > :11:37.Coast mainline. The public consultation on the schemes in order
:11:38. > :11:42.to ensure it had taken place. And what has happened is the money has
:11:43. > :11:44.been pulled. Will the minister meet Network Rail along with the
:11:45. > :11:50.Chancellor to ensure that money is put back in. It is good for
:11:51. > :11:55.business, the economy and safety and good for the people of Bassetlaw.
:11:56. > :12:02.The honourable gentleman had the tragic accident that resulted in a
:12:03. > :12:05.loss of life. After that the rail accident investigation board made
:12:06. > :12:10.clear recommendations so that accident could not happen again and
:12:11. > :12:15.I am told they have been implemented. He is referring to the
:12:16. > :12:20.plan to close the 73 crossings on the East Coast mainline, and that
:12:21. > :12:24.work has been progress. You cannot just shut off communities who rely
:12:25. > :12:29.on those. He shakes his head. He should be in my job and have people
:12:30. > :12:33.campaigning to keep crossings open. The work will happen and it is right
:12:34. > :12:37.to focus on this and we will continue to fund the work, there is
:12:38. > :12:40.no shortage of money for this and money will be spent on making the
:12:41. > :12:55.crossing safer. We have committed to setting out the
:12:56. > :12:58.government's plan for the HS2 phase to route and update the House before
:12:59. > :13:01.the end of the year. I thank him for that answer and for the times he and
:13:02. > :13:07.his officials have spent with me on the link. The initial justification
:13:08. > :13:10.of the link was the depot in Wigan. That will not now be the. The only
:13:11. > :13:15.justification that remains is a ten minute journey time saving two
:13:16. > :13:20.trains north of Wigan. Will he confirm that if that stand-alone
:13:21. > :13:29.link goes ahead it will be subject to a separate business case? We are
:13:30. > :13:32.considering all of the recommendations made by Sir David
:13:33. > :13:36.Higgins and his report, and he believes that the link to the West
:13:37. > :13:41.Coast Main line is necessary, sooner rather than later. The alternative,
:13:42. > :13:45.which would mean linking into the West Coast mainline, would mean
:13:46. > :13:50.upgrading it to take these additional services, which can be
:13:51. > :13:52.costly and disrupt, and would incur those dreadful words, replacement
:13:53. > :13:59.bus services. Can I beg the team for bus services. Can I beg the team for
:14:00. > :14:06.the moment of sanity in terms of HS2. Isn't it time, where we know
:14:07. > :14:13.the latest evaluation says the cost will rise to ?116 billion, in a
:14:14. > :14:16.country that can't even keep its National Health service running,
:14:17. > :14:23.isn't it about time we look at this in a ruthless way, speak to Lord
:14:24. > :14:30.Adonis, to get his act together. He calls himself the Godfather of HS2.
:14:31. > :14:35.Let's invest in things that really work. That is not what huge was
:14:36. > :14:41.saying when he was Secretary of State. -- what he was saying. I am
:14:42. > :14:47.pleased Lord Adonis is engaging with the government. I think he needs to
:14:48. > :14:53.ask themselves what are the costs of not progressing HS2 because it is
:14:54. > :14:56.about the capacity and the great cities of the North, who are crying
:14:57. > :15:06.out for the additional capacity and the wealth it will bring. HS2 should
:15:07. > :15:13.have started and then or. On phase two, can I also appeal for sanity
:15:14. > :15:19.and ask them to review the hybrid Bill process and the cruel and
:15:20. > :15:25.unfair compensation scheme. The hybrid Bill process for phase one
:15:26. > :15:28.has been convoluted, and painful. Not just for the MPs on the
:15:29. > :15:33.committee but for the people affected by the project. It is
:15:34. > :15:38.ironic we should be using such a snail-like process for something
:15:39. > :15:46.that is supposed to be high-speed. It is not fit for purpose, and we
:15:47. > :15:51.should be modernising it. I would pay tribute to the members who have
:15:52. > :15:57.doggedly sat on the hybrid Bill committee and listened to petitions
:15:58. > :16:01.brought before them in an admirable way. Many petitions did not reach
:16:02. > :16:05.the committee because we reached agreement before it. As far as
:16:06. > :16:11.building it from the North first, it would still end in London, which the
:16:12. > :16:24.end it started the capacity is between Birmingham and London, as a
:16:25. > :16:33.matter of urgency. Can the proposals be discussed to mitigate the impact
:16:34. > :16:41.of HS2 on local residents and businesses in and around Donington?
:16:42. > :16:44.We have not finalised that right, so we will be getting the House and up
:16:45. > :16:58.date before the end of the year, when it would be appropriate to meet
:16:59. > :17:03.with a number of communities. I will answer this question together with
:17:04. > :17:07.number 11. We have made significant progress on increasing access. By
:17:08. > :17:15.the end of the year we expect around 75% of rail journeys to start or end
:17:16. > :17:31.at a step three station, and the programme will deliver 100 and 50 --
:17:32. > :17:35.150 step three station 's. I would like to thank the Minister. Every
:17:36. > :17:41.member of the House would want to congratulate the friends of my local
:17:42. > :17:47.station for the massive investment in the station, meaning it will be
:17:48. > :17:51.totally accessible for disabled people from the end of next month.
:17:52. > :18:10.That many of us are concerned about the slashing in funding by 42% of
:18:11. > :18:13.very basic, providing ramps and very basic, providing ramps and
:18:14. > :18:18.this? Why have they not changed this? Why have they not changed
:18:19. > :18:20.their mind? I am aware of the new footbridge at the station that will
:18:21. > :18:47.vastly improve facilities. I do not recognise what she says. The
:18:48. > :18:50.and we are building upon the success and we are building upon the success
:18:51. > :18:50.of it launched by the previous government. 1200 stations
:18:51. > :18:52.benefited from the smaller scale benefited from the smaller
:18:53. > :18:54.improvements, and to build on the improvements, and to build on the
:18:55. > :18:55.success ?160 million of additional success ?160 million of additional
:18:56. > :18:57.will extend the scheme to a further will extend the scheme to a further
:18:58. > :18:58.68 stations. I'm sure you will join 68 stations. I'm sure you will join
:18:59. > :18:59.University on its new Chancellor, University on its new Chancellor,
:19:00. > :19:06.Taney Grey Thompson. She has to get herself up the impossibly deep
:19:07. > :19:15.station, which Network Rail say they cannot do. Is this is what we should
:19:16. > :19:18.expect by slashing the grant by 40%? The University will benefit from her
:19:19. > :19:29.involvement. The bottom line is that the Department for Transport, and I
:19:30. > :19:42.will look into this. The Department for Transport is committed, and we
:19:43. > :19:46.are backing this programme, rolling out more disability access onto the
:19:47. > :19:50.buses. This is a real measure of success on the programme has
:19:51. > :19:54.generated a positive response. If we look at the findings of research at
:19:55. > :20:01.stations which have benefited from the programme, those passengers with
:20:02. > :20:05.physical impairment say they have a better travelling experience as a
:20:06. > :20:15.result, going up considerably for people with wheelchairs. The
:20:16. > :20:20.Minister will know that around 60% of disabled people live in a
:20:21. > :20:26.household without a car, and disabled people use buses 20% more
:20:27. > :20:29.than others. He will also know that 70% of local authorities have cut
:20:30. > :20:35.funding since 2010, and more are on the way. Does he really understand
:20:36. > :20:41.what impact these cuts will have on disabled people, and what proper
:20:42. > :20:50.assessment has he done on the potential impact? May I welcome him
:20:51. > :20:58.to his place. I am acutely aware of how important buses are afforded
:20:59. > :21:04.disabled people and also -- buses are for disabled people, and also
:21:05. > :21:15.others. Of course the implications for all bus users are considered
:21:16. > :21:23.when planning budgets. I will answer this with questions 14 and 16. Since
:21:24. > :21:28.2010 my Department has overseen the successful delivery of 50 miles of
:21:29. > :21:33.electrified track. Construction is under way between Ealing Broadway
:21:34. > :21:37.and Acton Main line, to remove the slow-moving freight trains of the
:21:38. > :21:45.lines to enable high-frequency electric Crossrail trains. From
:21:46. > :21:47.Paddington and through her constituency to Bristol, on the
:21:48. > :21:53.Cardiff, Network Rail have installed a quarter of 14,000 Poles needed to
:21:54. > :22:01.turn the centuries-old great Western line into a railway fit for the 21st
:22:02. > :22:02.century. Can you ensure that the century. Can you ensure that the
:22:03. > :22:09.electrification goes ahead on time, along with other improvements, to
:22:10. > :22:19.deliver benefits quickly, as my constituents cannot wait until 2019
:22:20. > :22:25.and the start of Crossrail. I am sorry they cannot wait, they waited
:22:26. > :22:33.for 13 years between 1997 and 2010, with nothing happening. Teesside has
:22:34. > :22:42.had a hammering in this place over the past several weeks. But we are
:22:43. > :22:46.resilient bunch, illustrated by the victory at Old Trafford last night!
:22:47. > :22:53.We are top of the league on the elect of the nation task force list
:22:54. > :23:01.from Northallerton to Middlesbrough. When might we see progress on this?
:23:02. > :23:06.Can I congratulate him because I am also a football supporter,
:23:07. > :23:14.supporting Derby County, so he has done incredibly well as far as that
:23:15. > :23:17.is concerned. He makes a fair point, there is a huge amount of steel used
:23:18. > :23:21.by Network Rail, and I know that by Network Rail, and I know that
:23:22. > :23:31.helps his own constituency as well. I will look into the point he makes.
:23:32. > :23:38.The Chancellor visited North Wales in July and said, he will look at
:23:39. > :23:49.the case for electrification of the North line from Crewe to Wales. Can
:23:50. > :24:04.fine for me what look at -- can he defined for me what look at means?
:24:05. > :24:11.During 13 years, ten miles was achieved! So we will certainly look
:24:12. > :24:14.at this. It is the way to go forward as far as railways are concerned. I
:24:15. > :24:23.want to look at that along with other plans for CP six. As I
:24:24. > :24:28.witnessed again last Monday, travellers going between Bolton and
:24:29. > :24:33.Manchester at the quickly squashed like sardines. Can the Secretary of
:24:34. > :24:41.State update the House as to how the engineering works on the line are
:24:42. > :24:49.coming along, particularly as far as boring the tunnel? He is right as to
:24:50. > :24:54.what we need to do, and I was going to refer to Farnworth tunnel. It has
:24:55. > :24:59.had problems but has been completed. That will help to increase the
:25:00. > :25:00.capacity on the line, and the changes he is calling for, the
:25:01. > :25:06.increased capacity he is wanting is increased capacity he is wanting is
:25:07. > :25:13.going to take place and I would like to pay tribute to all those people
:25:14. > :25:24.who worked tirelessly to do the tunnel, which is coming in on time.
:25:25. > :25:35.As most of the mainline will go on to the next period, can he make sure
:25:36. > :25:44.the line is extended to improve services? He took evidence a few
:25:45. > :25:49.weeks ago from the chief executive of Network Rail, and the pointy
:25:50. > :25:56.makes about looking at the lines in total is important, and I will be in
:25:57. > :26:00.mind his comments. I very much welcome the news that the
:26:01. > :26:05.electrification of the trans-Pennine route is now full on track. -- a
:26:06. > :26:10.contract. What are the new, improved benefits that it will bring the
:26:11. > :26:24.looking substantial improvements as looking substantial improvements as
:26:25. > :26:56.main cities in the North, main cities in the North,
:26:57. > :27:08.Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield and Newcastle are concerned, and we will
:27:09. > :27:23.bring more seats, more capacity, and it is
:27:24. > :27:30.Is Network Rail to blame for the delay? Is it a symptom of the
:27:31. > :27:35.privatised structure of our railway that causes the kind of
:27:36. > :27:43.fragmentation that makes disasters like this inevitable? Can I stop my
:27:44. > :27:48.welcoming him to his position. When he talks about privatised -- I
:27:49. > :27:51.start. This is an example of where somebody who has not held
:27:52. > :27:56.ministerial office can rightly forget everything that happened in
:27:57. > :28:04.the past. I remember the Labour candidate for the Mayor of London
:28:05. > :28:10.next year is said that one reason, we are able to invest record sums is
:28:11. > :28:14.the revenue rail franchises bring in and premiums they pay. We are seeing
:28:15. > :28:19.record investment in railways because of the way we are currently
:28:20. > :28:23.running it. At the time it was nationalised we saw a declining
:28:24. > :28:28.railway, a useless railway, not fit for purpose, something which the
:28:29. > :28:35.party opposite wants to go back to. Question number seven.
:28:36. > :28:39.Mr Speaker, I regularly meet with senior officials of Network Rail to
:28:40. > :28:46.discuss key issues facing the company and recent meetings have
:28:47. > :28:53.focused on this beta Hendy review and finance programme. Will he also
:28:54. > :28:57.reiterate the commitment to the recommendation of the great Eastern
:28:58. > :29:01.mainline task force that rings benefits to all counties and will he
:29:02. > :29:09.ensure Network Rail delivers the necessary improvement? Yes, I am
:29:10. > :29:13.glad to say we have been able to issue the invitation to tender as
:29:14. > :29:17.far as the East Anglia franchise is concerned, something she has been
:29:18. > :29:22.persistently should do. In seeing that we get services to Norwich in
:29:23. > :29:26.90 minutes and Ipswich in 60 and that forms part of that tender. She
:29:27. > :29:31.is right about the other improvements we need to look at and
:29:32. > :29:39.she can take my assurance I will raise those with Sir Peter Hendy.
:29:40. > :29:42.What recent discussions has he had with Network Rail regarding the
:29:43. > :29:48.electrification of the Liverpool and Manchester line passes through
:29:49. > :29:52.witness in Warrington? I think I need more direction as to the
:29:53. > :29:56.question. There has been electrification between Liverpool
:29:57. > :29:58.and Manchester and that is welcome and we have electric trains running
:29:59. > :30:02.on that and soon there will be more running on that line. If he has a
:30:03. > :30:09.more specific point perhaps he would like to write to me. During the
:30:10. > :30:12.great storms in the West Country in 2014 we found our mainline route to
:30:13. > :30:20.Cornwall floating in the sea. Can I ask him whether the peninsula
:30:21. > :30:28.proposals, including the Okehampton link, whether they have come up with
:30:29. > :30:33.any conclusions because it would add benefits to our economic potential
:30:34. > :30:37.in Cornwall. I do remember this and I also remember the valiant way in
:30:38. > :30:43.which Network Rail restored that link. They did an exceptional job in
:30:44. > :30:48.difficult situations. Even at this stage I would like to add my thanks
:30:49. > :30:52.to all who worked on that scheme in restoring that link. He is right
:30:53. > :30:56.about the task force the Peninsula group have brought forward and we
:30:57. > :31:04.are looking at their report and will have more to say on it once the
:31:05. > :31:10.planning of CP five is undertaken. The welcome creation of the national
:31:11. > :31:14.academy for a rail will help plug some of the skills shortage behind
:31:15. > :31:18.many of the delays in electrification. What concerns does
:31:19. > :31:24.he have earned does he share my concern the proposed 40% court to
:31:25. > :31:29.this budget will undermine the ability of the Academy to deliver on
:31:30. > :31:33.skills shortages? He is right about the academy at Northampton. I was
:31:34. > :31:37.there some months ago and the minister from rail I it a few weeks
:31:38. > :31:45.ago and it will play an important role in skills. It is up skilling
:31:46. > :31:51.about what the whole industry has to do and bring it together and that is
:31:52. > :31:56.one reason I asked the chairman of Crossrail to coordinate across the
:31:57. > :32:05.transport sector about apprenticeships. Number eight, Mr
:32:06. > :32:09.Speaker. On the 21st of August my right honourable friend the
:32:10. > :32:14.Secretary of State announced the appointment of Terry Morgan the
:32:15. > :32:17.chair of Crossrail to develop a transport and infrastructure skills
:32:18. > :32:22.strategy. It will help ensure the industry has the right people and
:32:23. > :32:29.skills to deliver the programme of transport infrastructure and
:32:30. > :32:33.investment. I was recently fortunate to visit a college in basalt and
:32:34. > :32:37.that has created a unique partnership between engineering and
:32:38. > :32:41.construction companies to train the next generation of technicians. Can
:32:42. > :32:47.I invite him to look at their model and perhaps visit with a view to
:32:48. > :32:51.widening the range of opportunities across the whole country to give
:32:52. > :32:57.young people the skills to deliver our plans? I will look at the
:32:58. > :33:03.approach used by them and would like to visit. It is vital colleges and
:33:04. > :33:08.universities work with employers to get the skills industry needs. It is
:33:09. > :33:13.crucial in transport as more people are required. I would highlight the
:33:14. > :33:19.work of the college to Terry Morgan as he develops the strategy. An
:33:20. > :33:27.important element of the transport infrastructure is the road haulage
:33:28. > :33:33.industry that helps the economy and the government. Driving up exports.
:33:34. > :33:38.They reported a recruitment shortage of 54,000 in drivers which is likely
:33:39. > :33:43.to increase because of the ageing population. What plans and
:33:44. > :33:50.discussions has the minister had to ensure young people are encouraged
:33:51. > :33:55.to take up opportunities? The industry has a responsibility to
:33:56. > :33:59.bring new people in and I am aware of the recruitment challenges. There
:34:00. > :34:04.is a retention issue. I have met with the industry and will continue
:34:05. > :34:08.to do so. It is important this industry brings people into it. If
:34:09. > :34:11.we did not have it performing to a high level of the country would
:34:12. > :34:18.grind to a halt in a couple of days. Number nine, Mr Speaker. The
:34:19. > :34:22.Chancellor announced in the 2015 budget report the government will
:34:23. > :34:26.commission a study into the possibility of reopening Plymouth
:34:27. > :34:32.airport. I am keen to determine the final form of the study and how best
:34:33. > :34:37.to take it forward. As he knows Plymouth will be the focus of global
:34:38. > :34:43.attention in relation to in five years' time Mayflower 2020, when the
:34:44. > :34:48.Mayflower set sail to found the American colonies. Does he agree
:34:49. > :34:54.that to be a major tourism area we need to make sure people can get to
:34:55. > :35:01.Plymouth which means improved roads and railways and air links? That new
:35:02. > :35:12.colony worked out quite well, certainly! He is right that
:35:13. > :35:16.investment in this is vital to the south-west which is why we have
:35:17. > :35:21.committed ?31 million on the great Western route. We heard about the
:35:22. > :35:27.?40 million to fix Dawlish and the long overdue investment on the 830
:35:28. > :35:31.and a 303 which has long been a scourge of tourists and business
:35:32. > :35:41.people driving to the south-west -- a 30. Recent improvements to
:35:42. > :35:45.security measures include fencing, additional security guards, dogs,
:35:46. > :35:50.improved CCTV including thermal imaging. In addition, the French
:35:51. > :35:58.government has committed significant police resources to Calais. On a
:35:59. > :36:03.summer business tour I met exporters having trouble getting goods into
:36:04. > :36:06.Europe. Can he assure me and reddish businesses his department is doing
:36:07. > :36:13.everything he can to make sure my businesses prosper in the future?
:36:14. > :36:17.The channel link is vitally important to the whole UK economy
:36:18. > :36:20.and particularly the haulage industry. I was at Folkestone and
:36:21. > :36:26.saw some of the problems first-hand, in particular issues regarding
:36:27. > :36:32.just-in-time delivery of parts to the motor industry for steel rails
:36:33. > :36:36.produced in Scunthorpe which are exported to the continent and
:36:37. > :36:45.lobster produced in my constituency that travels in trucks to France and
:36:46. > :36:50.Spain. This summer the 23 my constituency was close for 32 days.
:36:51. > :36:55.I'm grateful for the attention the ministerial team is giving to this
:36:56. > :37:02.problem. Can he update me on the progress to avoid a repeat of the
:37:03. > :37:06.closures this summer next summer. The key to preventing a recurrence
:37:07. > :37:13.of the problems this summer is sorting out issues in France. I am
:37:14. > :37:17.pleased to say the industrial dispute has been solved and we do
:37:18. > :37:20.not have that additional problem. The government put in place a
:37:21. > :37:24.contingency plan at Manston. It would have been there to relieve the
:37:25. > :37:27.problem. It is important to look at how we can improve the situation
:37:28. > :37:45.where we have disruption on the channel. Thank you Mr Speaker. I
:37:46. > :37:49.have no representations on this topic. I look forward to a
:37:50. > :37:55.productive engagement with all devolved administrations on this
:37:56. > :38:03.subject. The minister may not be aware that part of the expensive
:38:04. > :38:09.lobbying campaign undertaken on both sides, passengers using Scottish
:38:10. > :38:13.airports are deliberately targeted. If the decision goes the wrong way
:38:14. > :38:18.Scotland will be cut off from the rest of the world, it has been said,
:38:19. > :38:22.which is scaremongering and will not happen. Depending on how the
:38:23. > :38:25.decision goes, the potential of bringing benefit to Scotland and the
:38:26. > :38:32.potential to cause damage to Scotland. Will he give an assurance
:38:33. > :38:35.that when the time comes he will make representations to make sure
:38:36. > :38:41.all members of this House play an equal part in the debate? The rest
:38:42. > :38:46.-- the representations I have received underlines the importance
:38:47. > :38:51.is of having good connectivity to international routes and that may be
:38:52. > :38:56.through an improved additional runway capacity in the south-east.
:38:57. > :39:00.We have been helped to that extent by giving help to the Dundee service
:39:01. > :39:12.to allow passengers reach the capital. Would he agree that
:39:13. > :39:15.expanding connectivity with the Scottish airports is one of the best
:39:16. > :39:22.things we can do to strengthen the United Kingdom? The government will
:39:23. > :39:33.be making an announcement in due course with response to the report
:39:34. > :39:44.and it would be premature to comment on this stage. On the subject of
:39:45. > :39:47.regional airports, agreeing about the commercial and economic and
:39:48. > :39:52.social connectivity required, he said, and his words were, the slots
:39:53. > :39:56.needed by Scottish airports and other airports that have lost them.
:39:57. > :40:01.I hope we can address that. I want to reflect on that while considering
:40:02. > :40:05.the whole report. Does he still agree about the development's
:40:06. > :40:10.importance to Scotland's regional airports such as Dundee and has
:40:11. > :40:14.there been progress on his thinking about root development and public
:40:15. > :40:20.service obligations? I have always made it clear how important I view
:40:21. > :40:24.the local airports. The regional international airports and how big a
:40:25. > :40:29.part they play in the economic development of areas particularly in
:40:30. > :40:33.Scotland. We need to look at aviation as a whole but the
:40:34. > :40:37.representations I get is how important it is to get connectivity,
:40:38. > :40:41.whether through Amsterdam, Paris, Frankfurt, or indeed to slots
:40:42. > :40:47.available in the south-east. Given this recognition and importance, can
:40:48. > :40:51.he confirm any decision on the development of a third runway at
:40:52. > :40:56.Heathrow or development at Gatwick would not have to go through an
:40:57. > :41:01.additional stage in the legislative process, a veto on Scottish MPs, as
:41:02. > :41:13.suggested by the honourable member for Milton Keynes, and will... What
:41:14. > :41:17.will he do to make sure this subject will be delivered from evil? It is
:41:18. > :41:25.premature to enter that discussion. I am always in favour of jumping
:41:26. > :41:31.one's fences when one reaches them. Could the minister tell me how many
:41:32. > :41:36.of the 47 recommendations ignored by the Airport Commission would have
:41:37. > :41:39.benefited Scotland? And whether those recommendations would have
:41:40. > :41:40.increased the domestic flights on likely option at Heathrow which
:41:41. > :41:51.would decrease them. One of the concerns I have picked up
:41:52. > :41:56.around the country outside the south-east is a pressure for slots
:41:57. > :42:00.at Heathrow and Gatwick at peak times means there are always
:42:01. > :42:05.concerns about those connecting flights coming in from other parts
:42:06. > :42:16.of the country, which we need to -- we are very well aware of Anthony to
:42:17. > :42:21.address. -- need to address. We're making great progress in upgrading
:42:22. > :42:22.the railway in the south-west, including delivering new trains to
:42:23. > :42:27.carry more people on faster journeys carry more people on faster journeys
:42:28. > :42:34.and improving resilience to make sure the region can stay connect it.
:42:35. > :42:40.The task force recently published its interim report on a 20 year plan
:42:41. > :42:47.for Devon and will. Can he confirm that the primary aim is to secure
:42:48. > :42:51.the resilience to South Devon, and any other options will be
:42:52. > :42:59.additional, not alternatives. The other options would indeed be
:43:00. > :43:03.impact will overruns and the cost impact will overruns and the cost
:43:04. > :43:19.have on the investment she has mentioned? -- the overruns. Can he
:43:20. > :43:29.repeat the question? She was chuntering to her colleague!
:43:30. > :43:32.Scandalous disregard! What impact will overruns and the cost have on
:43:33. > :43:40.the investment she has mentioned? Apologies. I was misspeaking on the
:43:41. > :43:45.double-check. The roots will be double-check. The roots will be
:43:46. > :43:49.additional, not alternative. He knows that there is an enormous
:43:50. > :43:56.south-west, in terms of Brazilians, south-west, in terms of Brazilians,
:43:57. > :43:59.they hundreds new trains. I wish he would get behind the attempt to the
:44:00. > :44:11.government to connect the vital region, rather than keep shouting
:44:12. > :44:16.about things. He will be delighted to know that the first section of
:44:17. > :44:27.the rail line was opened this Monday, allowing people to travel
:44:28. > :44:28.from Oxford to London Marylebone. I welcome this new service running
:44:29. > :44:34.along the first stage. It is a very along the first stage. It is a very
:44:35. > :44:37.strong business case, as is the project as a wall. Will she do
:44:38. > :44:45.everything to make sure the Hindu review does not delay this? Yes, and
:44:46. > :44:48.we will know more about it in the next few weeks. I want to pay
:44:49. > :44:53.tribute to these MPs who have left us in no doubt of the importance of
:44:54. > :45:07.this East to West rail link. Topical questions. I have seen first hand
:45:08. > :45:09.the work Network Rail are doing, including a ?44 million regeneration
:45:10. > :45:15.of Manchester Victoria station, making it a station Manchester can
:45:16. > :45:18.be proud of. It was voted the worst station in Britain in 2009. The
:45:19. > :45:27.rebuilding of Birmingham new Street station, transforming it. And the
:45:28. > :45:29.reconstruction of bandwidth tunnel, allowing trains to travel from
:45:30. > :45:34.Manchester to Bolton. This will allow diesel trains to be used in
:45:35. > :45:41.the north-west, providing 30,000 more seats per week. This will help
:45:42. > :45:45.to build a Northern Powerhouse. I will not refer to Sheffield
:45:46. > :45:50.you will be pleased to hear. I will you will be pleased to hear. I will
:45:51. > :45:55.refer to Sir David Higgins' report, where he described transport links
:45:56. > :46:01.between Sheffield and Manchester as a matter of national concern. Will
:46:02. > :46:10.he give serious consideration that HSV should link Manchester and
:46:11. > :46:13.Sheffield, and secondly that consideration is given to a route
:46:14. > :46:17.under the Pennines as the only serious way to link Sheffield and
:46:18. > :46:25.Manchester without damaging the Manchester without damaging the
:46:26. > :46:36.national park? Harsh HS3. Can I agree that more needs to be done to
:46:37. > :47:04.improve the links between Sheffield and Manchester, and I hope that when
:47:05. > :47:05.we announced the new franchise for trans-Pennine and Northern Rail,
:47:06. > :47:07.will go some way to meet the will go some way to meet the
:47:08. > :47:12.demands. The two projects he talks about are huge. Work is being done
:47:13. > :47:12.by Colin Matthews on whether a tunnel is the right way forward, and
:47:13. > :47:12.we expect more up dates that next we expect more up dates that next
:47:13. > :47:13.year. On HS3, I understand the year. On HS3, I understand the
:47:14. > :47:14.Figures released by male honourable Figures released by male honourable
:47:15. > :47:15.Severn Bridge is generating more Severn Bridge is generating more
:47:16. > :47:21.profit... It is a great opportunity for the government to slash the toll
:47:22. > :47:24.prices on the bridge, and still have enough money to pay for the
:47:25. > :47:34.maintenance. -- generating more profit than the costs. The toll
:47:35. > :47:38.prices set by others to repay the construction, finance, maintenance
:47:39. > :47:53.and operation costs. We expect the costs to be recovered in 2018, and
:47:54. > :47:57.Government. We're working on the Government. We're working on the
:47:58. > :48:00.future of their son I have heard future of their son I have heard
:48:01. > :48:04.what he has said and I will keep updated. We have always supported
:48:05. > :48:04.Labour councillors on time and we are, including when they were
:48:05. > :48:12.subjected to appalling abuse. I subjected to appalling abuse. I
:48:13. > :48:18.cause of bust tendering. But does he cause of bust tendering. But does he
:48:19. > :48:20.agree with me that the bill must be available to all communities that
:48:21. > :48:29.want them, including rural and isolated communities? -- bus
:48:30. > :48:36.tendering. She knows what will come next, I have been doing this job for
:48:37. > :48:40.three years, the fourth -- she is the fourth shadow Secretary of State
:48:41. > :48:53.I have seen. We will see whether I have seen. We will see whether
:48:54. > :48:55.there is more to come. She asks me and asserts she knows what is in the
:48:56. > :48:58.bus bill. It has not yet been bus bill. It has not yet been
:48:59. > :49:06.published, so I am interested to know how it has been achieved. The
:49:07. > :49:07.simple point is that we're there are elected mayor is, there will be
:49:08. > :49:16.opportunities for those areas to opportunities for those areas to
:49:17. > :49:21.take advantage of. I was hoping for a straight answer to a straight
:49:22. > :49:32.question. With more than 2000 routes lost and downgraded, and fares up by
:49:33. > :49:38.25%, will he rule out any plans to slash support for buses even
:49:39. > :49:42.further? Well, I am not in a position to announce the Spending
:49:43. > :49:47.Review. Like every other member of the House, she will need to wait
:49:48. > :49:51.until the Spending Review is announced by my right honourable
:49:52. > :49:55.friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on the 25th of November.
:49:56. > :50:02.I hope that as a straight answer. Is he aware that added to the many
:50:03. > :50:08.defects in the rolling stock which operates on the West Anglia line,
:50:09. > :50:13.there occurred this week a case of trains stopping, screeching to a
:50:14. > :50:27.halt near Bishops Stortford, apparently for lack of air. Surely
:50:28. > :50:32.more support should be given to this franchise which can offer more
:50:33. > :50:37.assurances for rolling stock. I will make enquiries into this, I do not
:50:38. > :50:41.know about the specific case but I will do by later on today, I assure
:50:42. > :50:48.him. He is absolutely right about the need to improve rolling stock
:50:49. > :50:53.availability, and I hope the invitation to tender on the line
:50:54. > :50:58.will do this. Can the Secretary of State tell the House what measures
:50:59. > :51:08.Network Rail are taking to ensure that skilled rail jobs no longer
:51:09. > :51:15.appear on the cheers -- level two skill shortages list. 95% is brought
:51:16. > :51:18.from UK production, but if I have got the wrong part of his question,
:51:19. > :51:25.perhaps he can write to me and I will write back to him. The
:51:26. > :51:30.Secretary of State mentioned the success of the Norwich campaigns.
:51:31. > :51:36.Worcester is six miles further from London as the crow flies, but my
:51:37. > :51:41.constituents take 150 minutes to reach the capital from Worcester.
:51:42. > :51:46.Can he do everything he can to lean on great Western and Network Rail to
:51:47. > :51:56.get the service down to under two hours? My honourable friends have
:51:57. > :52:01.campaigned on this issue. There is work going on on ways to improve
:52:02. > :52:07.journey time, and we have started the work on delivering it. Commuter
:52:08. > :52:08.routes into Manchester are soon to lose trains to London Midland,
:52:09. > :52:11.raising memories of the raising memories of the
:52:12. > :52:17.trans-Pennine rolling stock to buckle, which cost ?20 million and
:52:18. > :52:26.let the services being downgraded. The Secretary of State, did he have
:52:27. > :52:30.an option in the latest cased, and is this not another example of
:52:31. > :52:38.fragmented railway is letting them passengers? He should just wait and
:52:39. > :52:44.see what comes out of the two franchises. In 2004, it is worth
:52:45. > :52:54.remembering that when the franchise was last let, it was done on a no
:52:55. > :52:57.growth basis. That is what the last government thought of the Northern
:52:58. > :53:07.Powerhouse. I invite him to wait and see the announcements made shortly.
:53:08. > :53:10.Can I seek assurances from the Minister that the new stations fund
:53:11. > :53:18.will be accessible to applications from councils, as the rail Minister
:53:19. > :53:20.knows a new station in my constituency has one of the
:53:21. > :53:22.strongest business cases in the North Devon, of which my
:53:23. > :53:26.constituents which hugely benefit. constituents which hugely benefit.
:53:27. > :53:28.The new station 's fund announced in The new station 's fund announced in
:53:29. > :53:39.applicants. The Derbyshire Dales is applicants. The Derbyshire Dales is
:53:40. > :53:45.a hub for manufacturing in regard to the rail industry. Does he agree
:53:46. > :53:47.that this is a real opportunity for forward planning on getting
:53:48. > :53:51.manufacturers to come together to prepare bids for the work of HS2?
:53:52. > :53:58.Much as this causes me pain, I will Much as this causes me pain, I will
:53:59. > :54:05.agree with the honourable member! The point he makes is absolutely
:54:06. > :54:08.not only companies within the not only companies within the
:54:09. > :54:10.position of taking advantage of it, position of taking advantage of it,
:54:11. > :54:19.but others as well. -- at in the but others as well. -- at in the
:54:20. > :54:30.the government has made ?6 billion the government has made ?6 billion
:54:31. > :54:40.roads, how can we encourage local roads, how can we encourage local
:54:41. > :54:42.repairs? We are supporting local repairs? We are supporting local
:54:43. > :54:42.authorities with financial support, which is a record ?6 billion
:54:43. > :54:43.now and 2021 for highways now and 2021 for highways
:54:44. > :54:44.maintenance. We are also encouraging maintenance. We are also encouraging
:54:45. > :54:45.them to look at how they manage their programmes, and 20% of local
:54:46. > :54:48.authorities have signed up to an authorities have signed up to an
:54:49. > :54:51.efficiency programme. What we're efficiency programme. What we're
:54:52. > :54:55.talking about here is a significant talking about here is a significant
:54:56. > :55:02.investment, and if the deal with 18 investment, and if the deal with 18
:55:03. > :55:13.able to deal with 18 million able to deal with 18 million
:55:14. > :55:16.industry is likely to suffer greatly industry is likely to suffer greatly
:55:17. > :55:22.with the latest announcements of steel closures. Will he persuade his
:55:23. > :55:25.honourable friend the Prime Minister honourable friend the Prime Minister
:55:26. > :55:28.to end his policy of gifting British to end his policy of gifting
:55:29. > :55:37.jobs to Chinese workers? I am all jobs to Chinese workers? I am all
:55:38. > :55:41.too aware of the importance of ports in getting exports out of the
:55:42. > :55:46.country and imports in. I was in Bristol yesterday which will benefit
:55:47. > :55:52.from developments in the nuclear industry, financed partly by the
:55:53. > :56:00.Chinese. I am going to Felixstowe today to see developments. The
:56:01. > :56:02.government's commitment to join the M 45 and improvements to a
:56:03. > :56:11.roundabout were warmly welcomed by East North Hampshire residents. Can
:56:12. > :56:14.he provide us with an update? I will check progress on this and
:56:15. > :56:19.back to the honourable gentleman. back to the honourable gentleman.
:56:20. > :56:21.Many constituents of mine rely on the number 44 bus to get the
:56:22. > :56:23.Southport Hospital, and the service has been cut as a result of cuts by
:56:24. > :56:29.his department. He spoke earlier his department. He spoke earlier
:56:30. > :56:34.about the opportunity of having directly elected mayor is, but if
:56:35. > :56:36.the cuts continue, the additional powers will be meaningless and of no
:56:37. > :56:45.help to my constituents. I want to help to my constituents. I want to
:56:46. > :56:49.see the widening of services to all our constituents, which is why the
:56:50. > :56:50.government is supporting transport investment to a record amount in
:56:51. > :57:14.this Parliament. The motorway that are restricted to
:57:15. > :57:21.50 mph. The work should be done for the convenience of the road users
:57:22. > :57:24.and not the highly agency. I entirely agree with my honourable
:57:25. > :57:29.friend and I think the wrong stretches of road works frustrate
:57:30. > :57:36.riders, especially as the new completion. - long stretches. We
:57:37. > :57:41.want stretches which are shorter in length and a reduced time. He will
:57:42. > :57:48.be reduced down from one third to one half of the current size. You
:57:49. > :57:55.will be evening and weekend working. If the Minister can get it sorted,
:57:56. > :58:03.who knows, he might be carried aloft in the House. The award is linking
:58:04. > :58:10.of the great cities of the North but it did not include Hull. Now we have
:58:11. > :58:15.come to the electrification of routes when will be secretary give
:58:16. > :58:22.the green light to the initiative to electrify the line all baby to hold?
:58:23. > :58:34.I do apologise to the honourable lady. - Hull. The honourable lady
:58:35. > :58:40.says they are not that many but I think there are a number of eight
:58:41. > :58:47.cities in the north. If I named them all I would get into trouble. -
:58:48. > :58:52.great cities. I have been able to move forward with infrastructure
:58:53. > :58:57.investment. As far as giving the extra money we gave to take the
:58:58. > :59:04.scheme she is talking up to HS2 I am waiting for talk is about that
:59:05. > :59:08.particular scheme. Yesterday there was an important point of order from
:59:09. > :59:14.a wide commie member when he pointed out how excellent the transport
:59:15. > :59:16.department was in answering questions and hopefully the Treasury
:59:17. > :59:22.Department is in answering questions. As the Secretary Of State
:59:23. > :59:28.been contacted by the Chancellor to find out how it is done? I am sure
:59:29. > :59:38.that is meant a helpful question. In the run up to the spending review,
:59:39. > :59:42.it is not. I think chartered engineer and as a member of the IEE
:59:43. > :59:48.G I was horrified to learn that software engineering had an sleep
:59:49. > :59:54.and used to cheat legitimate regulation and possibly undermine
:59:55. > :59:57.public health. What discussions has he had with the professional bodies,
:59:58. > :00:01.the skills Minister and the automotive industry to ensure the
:00:02. > :00:11.whole swag and sort of dark engineering has now place here? The
:00:12. > :00:15.industry across the East is very embarrassed by what has happened and
:00:16. > :00:22.I am sure they will take proper action on the measures. I wonder if
:00:23. > :00:27.my honourable friend could update the house or more progress is being
:00:28. > :00:33.made to bring Crossrail to through Harold Wilson's station? We are out
:00:34. > :00:37.to consultation but I would expect my honourable friend to have said
:00:38. > :00:44.what a great job we are doing as far as Crossrail one has been done. But
:00:45. > :00:52.I have come to learn no sooner do you complete one project and people
:00:53. > :00:58.are talking about the second. Last week the pilot was Mike union wrote
:00:59. > :01:02.to the management at Albany who operates selfless as to the
:01:03. > :01:05.Highlands and Islands about that concern where cases are being
:01:06. > :01:10.returned to the line despite being unserviceable. They brought in some
:01:11. > :01:16.cases a craft contain defects that in some cases affect safety and in
:01:17. > :01:22.other cases affect the aircraft to be an usable. These are lifeline
:01:23. > :01:28.services to some of the most economically fragile communities in
:01:29. > :01:34.the country. What can the aviation Minister do to ensure, through his
:01:35. > :01:36.department or the CE, our local communities can retain full
:01:37. > :01:46.confidence in these crucial services? I regularly meet with that
:01:47. > :01:49.union. It is a good example of how unions can work with government to
:01:50. > :01:58.promote their members. Safety is our top priority for air travel in the
:01:59. > :02:06.UK. We have two meet strict maintenance requirements. I
:02:07. > :02:13.understand that the CAA is aware of the difficulties and is taking care
:02:14. > :02:16.of safety requirements. This matter will be under review. I want to hear
:02:17. > :02:23.from a member of the select committee. Thank you. In recent
:02:24. > :02:29.weeks passengers on the Cleethorpes to Manchester rail routes have had
:02:30. > :02:32.to the top with cancellations due to driver shortage. Customers do not
:02:33. > :02:37.care if this is the company problem or union problem but can the good
:02:38. > :02:43.offices be used to sort this out, please? I will be delighted to do so
:02:44. > :02:48.and will try to do so. This is why the new into regions to end have
:02:49. > :02:52.customary expedience right at the heart of them. Business question,
:02:53. > :02:53.Chris