Transport Questions House of Commons

Hello and welcome to BBC Parliament's live coverage from the

House of Commons. In an hour the leader of the house Chris Grayling

and will announce the forthcoming business in the chamber and take

questions from backbenchers. The main business is a backbench

business debate on the effects of the government proposed reforms to

tax credits. Remember to join me for a round-up of the day in both Houses

of Parliament at 11pm this evening. First, we have questions to the

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin and his team of

ministers. Order. Transport the London bill,

Lords revival motion. I beg to move. Motion to be taken what day? Very

appropriately Thursday, the 5th of November. Thursday the 5th of

November. Order, questions to the Secretary of State the transport.

Question number one. The current difference between laboratory

testing and real emissions. The agreement we secured in Brussels to

introduce real-world testing in 2017 is an important milestone. We will

continue to press the EU for a comprehensive approach on emissions

testing that restores confidence and the livers climb it -- and delivers

climb it objectives -- climate. The UK's managing director said the

target of 2016 might not be deliverable. How can he assure the

house that this can be achieved by 2016? Volkswagen have acted

disgracefully in this whole episode. I will be looking to them

to ensure they live up to the expectations they promised

originally and will be working to make sure that happens. Does he

agree that Volkswagen has shattered trust in motor vehicle testing and

we need to move at pace to real-world testing to restore

confidence in the public? I do agree. I think both when I appeared

before the Select Committee, just a few weeks ago, I made that position

abundantly clear. I think progress made yesterday is progress made

yesterday is progressing the right direction. The still unfolding

scandal of Volkswagen has lifted the lid on the more widespread problem

about emissions testing which was known about for a long time. Why

didn't the Department act sooner in doing something about it? It has two

B said that's the honourable lady says it was known about a long time,

but in truth if one looks at the amount of diesel sold in 2001, it

was 460,000, 17%. In 2009, -- 815,000, if it was known about for

some time it is not this government but the previous that is culpable.

The new London taxi is zero. I have travelled in one of those taxes.

That is part of the answer we will continue to support our programme of

support for some 1.2 million cars have been affected across the UK and

it is important to be mindful of drivers, they are facing a higher

road tax. Does he agree the financial implications should we

give in to Volkswagen and Audi for this disgraceful thing that

happened? I do not think there will be an increase in taxes, we have

made that clear. But it is something that VW will have to addressing

course. Is the reality, though, that Biddestone's statements are leaving

motorists concerned about air quality number wise. Can he clear

the air on one point and that is what happened at the EU technical

committee yesterday. It was not just about setting a timetable for new

cars to conform with existing emissions, did it not also involve

permission to breach those limits by 50%, that being open ended

permission, and isn't that what the UK representative voted for? What

was important was because agreement for real-world emissions testing

across Europe and this was something... This has been objected

to the pass. We pressed for it and I am pleased we achieved it. He said

it is not as much or as fast as he would like, but I would say we have

made more progress in the six months of this new Conservative government

than ever made in the last government. The government remains

committed to delivering the vital benefits these projects will provide

to passengers as part of the replanning of this programme I

expect Sir Peter Hendy to ensure schemes deliver value for money.

With the minister agree the tripling of costs to over 2.5 billion pounds

is breathtaking and will he take the time to learn lessons from Scotland

where major capital projects are coming in on time and budget largely

as a result of proper planning and good contract negotiation, so

further public money is not thrown away in this cavalier fashion? I am

always willing to learn lessons from wherever they are valid, be that

Scotland or anywhere else and I will not look for advice on providing

tram systems! What I would say is some of these programmes and the

honourable lady is a member of the PAC, and therefore was in the

position of hearing evidence by Mark Carne and the Permanent Secretary

and some have run over budget that they are huge schemes, very

important schemes, and making the railway system modern for the 21st

century is important. As regards value for money of the great Western

mainline, would he agree electrification is one factor that

makes the reopening of the station a more valuable project that needs to

remain high on the agenda. I am sure it will remain high on the agenda as

long as my honourable friend presses for it.

I look forward to discussing it with my honourable friend and see if we

can help my honourable friend get what she wishes. Electrification of

the great Western and Valley lines are two sides of the same coin, with

both meaning a great deal to the South Wales economy. What

discussions as he had with the Welsh Government counterpart on the

delivery date for electrification of the Valley lines? We made money

available to the Welsh Assembly, 125 million. I have met with Edwina Hart

and discuss the programme and I am in contact with my right honourable

friend the Secretary of State for Wales and it is a matter for the

assembly to come forward with their plans. I congratulate him for

confirmation the Midland Main line will be electrified to Kettering by

2019. Can he assure the house the lessons learned from the great

Western electrification will be applied to that line so it can be

delivered quickly and efficiently? A neat body swerve to ensure his

question is in order. The textbook example to colleagues!

Was that the answer, Mr Speaker?! I have now forgotten what the

question was! Mr Speaker, I certainly agree with

my honourable friend. It is very important to re-establish the

Midland mainline electrification. It is a line I use regularly. Lessons

need to be learned. Work had already started. What was important about

the plan that is being developed is that we look at the whole line

development because there are certain things on the Midland Main

line that can be done to increase speed and that is important as well.

One reason for extra cost is compensation. Is it in the public

interest to publish those payments, and those spent on infrastructure

not those lining the pockets of shareholders? We make the best we

can with the huge investment we put into railways and I am proud of the

improvements that have taken place on the great Western.

Electrification is part of it. Completion of the station and the

flyover that happens so the line is no longer held up by freight trains

has been an improvement and serves his those in the south-west

incredibly well. Question three, if you please, Mr Speaker. Network Rail

assesses risks on crossings. The UK has the best level crossing safety

record in the EU. There is work to reduce that risk still further.

What a lot of waffle after the Beech Hill tragedy in 2012 Network Rail

said it would get rid of all level crossings in Bassetlaw on the East

Coast mainline. The public consultation on the schemes in order

to ensure it had taken place. And what has happened is the money has

been pulled. Will the minister meet Network Rail along with the

Chancellor to ensure that money is put back in. It is good for

business, the economy and safety and good for the people of Bassetlaw.

The honourable gentleman had the tragic accident that resulted in a

loss of life. After that the rail accident investigation board made

clear recommendations so that accident could not happen again and

I am told they have been implemented. He is referring to the

plan to close the 73 crossings on the East Coast mainline, and that

work has been progress. You cannot just shut off communities who rely

on those. He shakes his head. He should be in my job and have people

campaigning to keep crossings open. The work will happen and it is right

to focus on this and we will continue to fund the work, there is

no shortage of money for this and money will be spent on making the

crossing safer. We have committed to setting out the

government's plan for the HS2 phase to route and update the House before

the end of the year. I thank him for that answer and for the times he and

his officials have spent with me on the link. The initial justification

of the link was the depot in Wigan. That will not now be the. The only

justification that remains is a ten minute journey time saving two

trains north of Wigan. Will he confirm that if that stand-alone

link goes ahead it will be subject to a separate business case? We are

considering all of the recommendations made by Sir David

Higgins and his report, and he believes that the link to the West

Coast Main line is necessary, sooner rather than later. The alternative,

which would mean linking into the West Coast mainline, would mean

upgrading it to take these additional services, which can be

costly and disrupt, and would incur those dreadful words, replacement

bus services. Can I beg the team for bus services. Can I beg the team for

the moment of sanity in terms of HS2. Isn't it time, where we know

the latest evaluation says the cost will rise to ?116 billion, in a

country that can't even keep its National Health service running,

isn't it about time we look at this in a ruthless way, speak to Lord

Adonis, to get his act together. He calls himself the Godfather of HS2.

Let's invest in things that really work. That is not what huge was

saying when he was Secretary of State. -- what he was saying. I am

pleased Lord Adonis is engaging with the government. I think he needs to

ask themselves what are the costs of not progressing HS2 because it is

about the capacity and the great cities of the North, who are crying

out for the additional capacity and the wealth it will bring. HS2 should

have started and then or. On phase two, can I also appeal for sanity

and ask them to review the hybrid Bill process and the cruel and

unfair compensation scheme. The hybrid Bill process for phase one

has been convoluted, and painful. Not just for the MPs on the

committee but for the people affected by the project. It is

ironic we should be using such a snail-like process for something

that is supposed to be high-speed. It is not fit for purpose, and we

should be modernising it. I would pay tribute to the members who have

doggedly sat on the hybrid Bill committee and listened to petitions

brought before them in an admirable way. Many petitions did not reach

the committee because we reached agreement before it. As far as

building it from the North first, it would still end in London, which the

end it started the capacity is between Birmingham and London, as a

matter of urgency. Can the proposals be discussed to mitigate the impact

of HS2 on local residents and businesses in and around Donington?

We have not finalised that right, so we will be getting the House and up

date before the end of the year, when it would be appropriate to meet

with a number of communities. I will answer this question together with

number 11. We have made significant progress on increasing access. By

the end of the year we expect around 75% of rail journeys to start or end

at a step three station, and the programme will deliver 100 and 50 --

150 step three station 's. I would like to thank the Minister. Every

member of the House would want to congratulate the friends of my local

station for the massive investment in the station, meaning it will be

totally accessible for disabled people from the end of next month.

That many of us are concerned about the slashing in funding by 42% of

very basic, providing ramps and very basic, providing ramps and

this? Why have they not changed this? Why have they not changed

their mind? I am aware of the new footbridge at the station that will

vastly improve facilities. I do not recognise what she says. The

and we are building upon the success and we are building upon the success

of it launched by the previous government. 1200 stations

benefited from the smaller scale benefited from the smaller

improvements, and to build on the improvements, and to build on the

success ?160 million of additional success ?160 million of additional

will extend the scheme to a further will extend the scheme to a further

68 stations. I'm sure you will join 68 stations. I'm sure you will join

University on its new Chancellor, University on its new Chancellor,

Taney Grey Thompson. She has to get herself up the impossibly deep

station, which Network Rail say they cannot do. Is this is what we should

expect by slashing the grant by 40%? The University will benefit from her

involvement. The bottom line is that the Department for Transport, and I

will look into this. The Department for Transport is committed, and we

are backing this programme, rolling out more disability access onto the

buses. This is a real measure of success on the programme has

generated a positive response. If we look at the findings of research at

stations which have benefited from the programme, those passengers with

physical impairment say they have a better travelling experience as a

result, going up considerably for people with wheelchairs. The

Minister will know that around 60% of disabled people live in a

household without a car, and disabled people use buses 20% more

than others. He will also know that 70% of local authorities have cut

funding since 2010, and more are on the way. Does he really understand

what impact these cuts will have on disabled people, and what proper

assessment has he done on the potential impact? May I welcome him

to his place. I am acutely aware of how important buses are afforded

disabled people and also -- buses are for disabled people, and also

others. Of course the implications for all bus users are considered

when planning budgets. I will answer this with questions 14 and 16. Since

2010 my Department has overseen the successful delivery of 50 miles of

electrified track. Construction is under way between Ealing Broadway

and Acton Main line, to remove the slow-moving freight trains of the

lines to enable high-frequency electric Crossrail trains. From

Paddington and through her constituency to Bristol, on the

Cardiff, Network Rail have installed a quarter of 14,000 Poles needed to

turn the centuries-old great Western line into a railway fit for the 21st

century. Can you ensure that the century. Can you ensure that the

electrification goes ahead on time, along with other improvements, to

deliver benefits quickly, as my constituents cannot wait until 2019

and the start of Crossrail. I am sorry they cannot wait, they waited

for 13 years between 1997 and 2010, with nothing happening. Teesside has

had a hammering in this place over the past several weeks. But we are

resilient bunch, illustrated by the victory at Old Trafford last night!

We are top of the league on the elect of the nation task force list

from Northallerton to Middlesbrough. When might we see progress on this?

Can I congratulate him because I am also a football supporter,

supporting Derby County, so he has done incredibly well as far as that

is concerned. He makes a fair point, there is a huge amount of steel used

by Network Rail, and I know that by Network Rail, and I know that

helps his own constituency as well. I will look into the point he makes.

The Chancellor visited North Wales in July and said, he will look at

the case for electrification of the North line from Crewe to Wales. Can

fine for me what look at -- can he defined for me what look at means?

During 13 years, ten miles was achieved! So we will certainly look

at this. It is the way to go forward as far as railways are concerned. I

want to look at that along with other plans for CP six. As I

witnessed again last Monday, travellers going between Bolton and

Manchester at the quickly squashed like sardines. Can the Secretary of

State update the House as to how the engineering works on the line are

coming along, particularly as far as boring the tunnel? He is right as to

what we need to do, and I was going to refer to Farnworth tunnel. It has

had problems but has been completed. That will help to increase the

capacity on the line, and the changes he is calling for, the

increased capacity he is wanting is increased capacity he is wanting is

going to take place and I would like to pay tribute to all those people

who worked tirelessly to do the tunnel, which is coming in on time.

As most of the mainline will go on to the next period, can he make sure

the line is extended to improve services? He took evidence a few

weeks ago from the chief executive of Network Rail, and the pointy

makes about looking at the lines in total is important, and I will be in

mind his comments. I very much welcome the news that the

electrification of the trans-Pennine route is now full on track. -- a

contract. What are the new, improved benefits that it will bring the

looking substantial improvements as looking substantial improvements as

main cities in the North, main cities in the North,

Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield and Newcastle are concerned, and we will

bring more seats, more capacity, and it is

Is Network Rail to blame for the delay? Is it a symptom of the

privatised structure of our railway that causes the kind of

fragmentation that makes disasters like this inevitable? Can I stop my

welcoming him to his position. When he talks about privatised -- I

start. This is an example of where somebody who has not held

ministerial office can rightly forget everything that happened in

the past. I remember the Labour candidate for the Mayor of London

next year is said that one reason, we are able to invest record sums is

the revenue rail franchises bring in and premiums they pay. We are seeing

record investment in railways because of the way we are currently

running it. At the time it was nationalised we saw a declining

railway, a useless railway, not fit for purpose, something which the

party opposite wants to go back to. Question number seven.

Mr Speaker, I regularly meet with senior officials of Network Rail to

discuss key issues facing the company and recent meetings have

focused on this beta Hendy review and finance programme. Will he also

reiterate the commitment to the recommendation of the great Eastern

mainline task force that rings benefits to all counties and will he

ensure Network Rail delivers the necessary improvement? Yes, I am

glad to say we have been able to issue the invitation to tender as

far as the East Anglia franchise is concerned, something she has been

persistently should do. In seeing that we get services to Norwich in

90 minutes and Ipswich in 60 and that forms part of that tender. She

is right about the other improvements we need to look at and

she can take my assurance I will raise those with Sir Peter Hendy.

What recent discussions has he had with Network Rail regarding the

electrification of the Liverpool and Manchester line passes through

witness in Warrington? I think I need more direction as to the

question. There has been electrification between Liverpool

and Manchester and that is welcome and we have electric trains running

on that and soon there will be more running on that line. If he has a

more specific point perhaps he would like to write to me. During the

great storms in the West Country in 2014 we found our mainline route to

Cornwall floating in the sea. Can I ask him whether the peninsula

proposals, including the Okehampton link, whether they have come up with

any conclusions because it would add benefits to our economic potential

in Cornwall. I do remember this and I also remember the valiant way in

which Network Rail restored that link. They did an exceptional job in

difficult situations. Even at this stage I would like to add my thanks

to all who worked on that scheme in restoring that link. He is right

about the task force the Peninsula group have brought forward and we

are looking at their report and will have more to say on it once the

planning of CP five is undertaken. The welcome creation of the national

academy for a rail will help plug some of the skills shortage behind

many of the delays in electrification. What concerns does

he have earned does he share my concern the proposed 40% court to

this budget will undermine the ability of the Academy to deliver on

skills shortages? He is right about the academy at Northampton. I was

there some months ago and the minister from rail I it a few weeks

ago and it will play an important role in skills. It is up skilling

about what the whole industry has to do and bring it together and that is

one reason I asked the chairman of Crossrail to coordinate across the

transport sector about apprenticeships. Number eight, Mr

Speaker. On the 21st of August my right honourable friend the

Secretary of State announced the appointment of Terry Morgan the

chair of Crossrail to develop a transport and infrastructure skills

strategy. It will help ensure the industry has the right people and

skills to deliver the programme of transport infrastructure and

investment. I was recently fortunate to visit a college in basalt and

that has created a unique partnership between engineering and

construction companies to train the next generation of technicians. Can

I invite him to look at their model and perhaps visit with a view to

widening the range of opportunities across the whole country to give

young people the skills to deliver our plans? I will look at the

approach used by them and would like to visit. It is vital colleges and

universities work with employers to get the skills industry needs. It is

crucial in transport as more people are required. I would highlight the

work of the college to Terry Morgan as he develops the strategy. An

important element of the transport infrastructure is the road haulage

industry that helps the economy and the government. Driving up exports.

They reported a recruitment shortage of 54,000 in drivers which is likely

to increase because of the ageing population. What plans and

discussions has the minister had to ensure young people are encouraged

to take up opportunities? The industry has a responsibility to

bring new people in and I am aware of the recruitment challenges. There

is a retention issue. I have met with the industry and will continue

to do so. It is important this industry brings people into it. If

we did not have it performing to a high level of the country would

grind to a halt in a couple of days. Number nine, Mr Speaker. The

Chancellor announced in the 2015 budget report the government will

commission a study into the possibility of reopening Plymouth

airport. I am keen to determine the final form of the study and how best

to take it forward. As he knows Plymouth will be the focus of global

attention in relation to in five years' time Mayflower 2020, when the

Mayflower set sail to found the American colonies. Does he agree

that to be a major tourism area we need to make sure people can get to

Plymouth which means improved roads and railways and air links? That new

colony worked out quite well, certainly! He is right that

investment in this is vital to the south-west which is why we have

committed ?31 million on the great Western route. We heard about the

?40 million to fix Dawlish and the long overdue investment on the 830

and a 303 which has long been a scourge of tourists and business

people driving to the south-west -- a 30. Recent improvements to

security measures include fencing, additional security guards, dogs,

improved CCTV including thermal imaging. In addition, the French

government has committed significant police resources to Calais. On a

summer business tour I met exporters having trouble getting goods into

Europe. Can he assure me and reddish businesses his department is doing

everything he can to make sure my businesses prosper in the future?

The channel link is vitally important to the whole UK economy

and particularly the haulage industry. I was at Folkestone and

saw some of the problems first-hand, in particular issues regarding

just-in-time delivery of parts to the motor industry for steel rails

produced in Scunthorpe which are exported to the continent and

lobster produced in my constituency that travels in trucks to France and

Spain. This summer the 23 my constituency was close for 32 days.

I'm grateful for the attention the ministerial team is giving to this

problem. Can he update me on the progress to avoid a repeat of the

closures this summer next summer. The key to preventing a recurrence

of the problems this summer is sorting out issues in France. I am

pleased to say the industrial dispute has been solved and we do

not have that additional problem. The government put in place a

contingency plan at Manston. It would have been there to relieve the

problem. It is important to look at how we can improve the situation

where we have disruption on the channel. Thank you Mr Speaker. I

have no representations on this topic. I look forward to a

productive engagement with all devolved administrations on this

subject. The minister may not be aware that part of the expensive

lobbying campaign undertaken on both sides, passengers using Scottish

airports are deliberately targeted. If the decision goes the wrong way

Scotland will be cut off from the rest of the world, it has been said,

which is scaremongering and will not happen. Depending on how the

decision goes, the potential of bringing benefit to Scotland and the

potential to cause damage to Scotland. Will he give an assurance

that when the time comes he will make representations to make sure

all members of this House play an equal part in the debate? The rest

-- the representations I have received underlines the importance

is of having good connectivity to international routes and that may be

through an improved additional runway capacity in the south-east.

We have been helped to that extent by giving help to the Dundee service

to allow passengers reach the capital. Would he agree that

expanding connectivity with the Scottish airports is one of the best

things we can do to strengthen the United Kingdom? The government will

be making an announcement in due course with response to the report

and it would be premature to comment on this stage. On the subject of

regional airports, agreeing about the commercial and economic and

social connectivity required, he said, and his words were, the slots

needed by Scottish airports and other airports that have lost them.

I hope we can address that. I want to reflect on that while considering

the whole report. Does he still agree about the development's

importance to Scotland's regional airports such as Dundee and has

there been progress on his thinking about root development and public

service obligations? I have always made it clear how important I view

the local airports. The regional international airports and how big a

part they play in the economic development of areas particularly in

Scotland. We need to look at aviation as a whole but the

representations I get is how important it is to get connectivity,

whether through Amsterdam, Paris, Frankfurt, or indeed to slots

available in the south-east. Given this recognition and importance, can

he confirm any decision on the development of a third runway at

Heathrow or development at Gatwick would not have to go through an

additional stage in the legislative process, a veto on Scottish MPs, as

suggested by the honourable member for Milton Keynes, and will... What

will he do to make sure this subject will be delivered from evil? It is

premature to enter that discussion. I am always in favour of jumping

one's fences when one reaches them. Could the minister tell me how many

of the 47 recommendations ignored by the Airport Commission would have

benefited Scotland? And whether those recommendations would have

increased the domestic flights on likely option at Heathrow which

would decrease them. One of the concerns I have picked up

around the country outside the south-east is a pressure for slots

at Heathrow and Gatwick at peak times means there are always

concerns about those connecting flights coming in from other parts

of the country, which we need to -- we are very well aware of Anthony to

address. -- need to address. We're making great progress in upgrading

the railway in the south-west, including delivering new trains to

carry more people on faster journeys carry more people on faster journeys

and improving resilience to make sure the region can stay connect it.

The task force recently published its interim report on a 20 year plan

for Devon and will. Can he confirm that the primary aim is to secure

the resilience to South Devon, and any other options will be

additional, not alternatives. The other options would indeed be

impact will overruns and the cost impact will overruns and the cost

have on the investment she has mentioned? -- the overruns. Can he

repeat the question? She was chuntering to her colleague!

Scandalous disregard! What impact will overruns and the cost have on

the investment she has mentioned? Apologies. I was misspeaking on the

double-check. The roots will be double-check. The roots will be

additional, not alternative. He knows that there is an enormous

south-west, in terms of Brazilians, south-west, in terms of Brazilians,

they hundreds new trains. I wish he would get behind the attempt to the

government to connect the vital region, rather than keep shouting

about things. He will be delighted to know that the first section of

the rail line was opened this Monday, allowing people to travel

from Oxford to London Marylebone. I welcome this new service running

along the first stage. It is a very along the first stage. It is a very

strong business case, as is the project as a wall. Will she do

everything to make sure the Hindu review does not delay this? Yes, and

we will know more about it in the next few weeks. I want to pay

tribute to these MPs who have left us in no doubt of the importance of

this East to West rail link. Topical questions. I have seen first hand

the work Network Rail are doing, including a ?44 million regeneration

of Manchester Victoria station, making it a station Manchester can

be proud of. It was voted the worst station in Britain in 2009. The

rebuilding of Birmingham new Street station, transforming it. And the

reconstruction of bandwidth tunnel, allowing trains to travel from

Manchester to Bolton. This will allow diesel trains to be used in

the north-west, providing 30,000 more seats per week. This will help

to build a Northern Powerhouse. I will not refer to Sheffield

you will be pleased to hear. I will you will be pleased to hear. I will

refer to Sir David Higgins' report, where he described transport links

between Sheffield and Manchester as a matter of national concern. Will

he give serious consideration that HSV should link Manchester and

Sheffield, and secondly that consideration is given to a route

under the Pennines as the only serious way to link Sheffield and

Manchester without damaging the Manchester without damaging the

national park? Harsh HS3. Can I agree that more needs to be done to

improve the links between Sheffield and Manchester, and I hope that when

we announced the new franchise for trans-Pennine and Northern Rail,

will go some way to meet the will go some way to meet the

demands. The two projects he talks about are huge. Work is being done

by Colin Matthews on whether a tunnel is the right way forward, and

we expect more up dates that next we expect more up dates that next

year. On HS3, I understand the year. On HS3, I understand the

Figures released by male honourable Figures released by male honourable

Severn Bridge is generating more Severn Bridge is generating more

profit... It is a great opportunity for the government to slash the toll

prices on the bridge, and still have enough money to pay for the

maintenance. -- generating more profit than the costs. The toll

prices set by others to repay the construction, finance, maintenance

and operation costs. We expect the costs to be recovered in 2018, and

Government. We're working on the Government. We're working on the

future of their son I have heard future of their son I have heard

what he has said and I will keep updated. We have always supported

Labour councillors on time and we are, including when they were

subjected to appalling abuse. I subjected to appalling abuse. I

cause of bust tendering. But does he cause of bust tendering. But does he

agree with me that the bill must be available to all communities that

want them, including rural and isolated communities? -- bus

tendering. She knows what will come next, I have been doing this job for

three years, the fourth -- she is the fourth shadow Secretary of State

I have seen. We will see whether I have seen. We will see whether

there is more to come. She asks me and asserts she knows what is in the

bus bill. It has not yet been bus bill. It has not yet been

published, so I am interested to know how it has been achieved. The

simple point is that we're there are elected mayor is, there will be

opportunities for those areas to opportunities for those areas to

take advantage of. I was hoping for a straight answer to a straight

question. With more than 2000 routes lost and downgraded, and fares up by

25%, will he rule out any plans to slash support for buses even

further? Well, I am not in a position to announce the Spending

Review. Like every other member of the House, she will need to wait

until the Spending Review is announced by my right honourable

friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on the 25th of November.

I hope that as a straight answer. Is he aware that added to the many

defects in the rolling stock which operates on the West Anglia line,

there occurred this week a case of trains stopping, screeching to a

halt near Bishops Stortford, apparently for lack of air. Surely

more support should be given to this franchise which can offer more

assurances for rolling stock. I will make enquiries into this, I do not

know about the specific case but I will do by later on today, I assure

him. He is absolutely right about the need to improve rolling stock

availability, and I hope the invitation to tender on the line

will do this. Can the Secretary of State tell the House what measures

Network Rail are taking to ensure that skilled rail jobs no longer

appear on the cheers -- level two skill shortages list. 95% is brought

from UK production, but if I have got the wrong part of his question,

perhaps he can write to me and I will write back to him. The

Secretary of State mentioned the success of the Norwich campaigns.

Worcester is six miles further from London as the crow flies, but my

constituents take 150 minutes to reach the capital from Worcester.

Can he do everything he can to lean on great Western and Network Rail to

get the service down to under two hours? My honourable friends have

campaigned on this issue. There is work going on on ways to improve

journey time, and we have started the work on delivering it. Commuter

routes into Manchester are soon to lose trains to London Midland,

raising memories of the raising memories of the

trans-Pennine rolling stock to buckle, which cost ?20 million and

let the services being downgraded. The Secretary of State, did he have

an option in the latest cased, and is this not another example of

fragmented railway is letting them passengers? He should just wait and

see what comes out of the two franchises. In 2004, it is worth

remembering that when the franchise was last let, it was done on a no

growth basis. That is what the last government thought of the Northern

Powerhouse. I invite him to wait and see the announcements made shortly.

Can I seek assurances from the Minister that the new stations fund

will be accessible to applications from councils, as the rail Minister

knows a new station in my constituency has one of the

strongest business cases in the North Devon, of which my

constituents which hugely benefit. constituents which hugely benefit.

The new station 's fund announced in The new station 's fund announced in

applicants. The Derbyshire Dales is applicants. The Derbyshire Dales is

a hub for manufacturing in regard to the rail industry. Does he agree

that this is a real opportunity for forward planning on getting

manufacturers to come together to prepare bids for the work of HS2?

Much as this causes me pain, I will Much as this causes me pain, I will

agree with the honourable member! The point he makes is absolutely

not only companies within the not only companies within the

position of taking advantage of it, position of taking advantage of it,

but others as well. -- at in the but others as well. -- at in the

the government has made ?6 billion the government has made ?6 billion

roads, how can we encourage local roads, how can we encourage local

repairs? We are supporting local repairs? We are supporting local

authorities with financial support, which is a record ?6 billion

now and 2021 for highways now and 2021 for highways

maintenance. We are also encouraging maintenance. We are also encouraging

them to look at how they manage their programmes, and 20% of local

authorities have signed up to an authorities have signed up to an

efficiency programme. What we're efficiency programme. What we're

talking about here is a significant talking about here is a significant

investment, and if the deal with 18 investment, and if the deal with 18

able to deal with 18 million able to deal with 18 million

industry is likely to suffer greatly industry is likely to suffer greatly

with the latest announcements of steel closures. Will he persuade his

honourable friend the Prime Minister honourable friend the Prime Minister

to end his policy of gifting British to end his policy of gifting

jobs to Chinese workers? I am all jobs to Chinese workers? I am all

too aware of the importance of ports in getting exports out of the

country and imports in. I was in Bristol yesterday which will benefit

from developments in the nuclear industry, financed partly by the

Chinese. I am going to Felixstowe today to see developments. The

government's commitment to join the M 45 and improvements to a

roundabout were warmly welcomed by East North Hampshire residents. Can

he provide us with an update? I will check progress on this and

back to the honourable gentleman. back to the honourable gentleman.

Many constituents of mine rely on the number 44 bus to get the

Southport Hospital, and the service has been cut as a result of cuts by

his department. He spoke earlier his department. He spoke earlier

about the opportunity of having directly elected mayor is, but if

the cuts continue, the additional powers will be meaningless and of no

help to my constituents. I want to help to my constituents. I want to

see the widening of services to all our constituents, which is why the

government is supporting transport investment to a record amount in

this Parliament. The motorway that are restricted to

50 mph. The work should be done for the convenience of the road users

and not the highly agency. I entirely agree with my honourable

friend and I think the wrong stretches of road works frustrate

riders, especially as the new completion. - long stretches. We

want stretches which are shorter in length and a reduced time. He will

be reduced down from one third to one half of the current size. You

will be evening and weekend working. If the Minister can get it sorted,

who knows, he might be carried aloft in the House. The award is linking

of the great cities of the North but it did not include Hull. Now we have

come to the electrification of routes when will be secretary give

the green light to the initiative to electrify the line all baby to hold?

I do apologise to the honourable lady. - Hull. The honourable lady

says they are not that many but I think there are a number of eight

cities in the north. If I named them all I would get into trouble. -

great cities. I have been able to move forward with infrastructure

investment. As far as giving the extra money we gave to take the

scheme she is talking up to HS2 I am waiting for talk is about that

particular scheme. Yesterday there was an important point of order from

a wide commie member when he pointed out how excellent the transport

department was in answering questions and hopefully the Treasury

Department is in answering questions. As the Secretary Of State

been contacted by the Chancellor to find out how it is done? I am sure

that is meant a helpful question. In the run up to the spending review,

it is not. I think chartered engineer and as a member of the IEE

G I was horrified to learn that software engineering had an sleep

and used to cheat legitimate regulation and possibly undermine

public health. What discussions has he had with the professional bodies,

the skills Minister and the automotive industry to ensure the

whole swag and sort of dark engineering has now place here? The

industry across the East is very embarrassed by what has happened and

I am sure they will take proper action on the measures. I wonder if

my honourable friend could update the house or more progress is being

made to bring Crossrail to through Harold Wilson's station? We are out

to consultation but I would expect my honourable friend to have said

what a great job we are doing as far as Crossrail one has been done. But

I have come to learn no sooner do you complete one project and people

are talking about the second. Last week the pilot was Mike union wrote

to the management at Albany who operates selfless as to the

Highlands and Islands about that concern where cases are being

returned to the line despite being unserviceable. They brought in some

cases a craft contain defects that in some cases affect safety and in

other cases affect the aircraft to be an usable. These are lifeline

services to some of the most economically fragile communities in

the country. What can the aviation Minister do to ensure, through his

department or the CE, our local communities can retain full

confidence in these crucial services? I regularly meet with that

union. It is a good example of how unions can work with government to

promote their members. Safety is our top priority for air travel in the

UK. We have two meet strict maintenance requirements. I

understand that the CAA is aware of the difficulties and is taking care

of safety requirements. This matter will be under review. I want to hear

from a member of the select committee. Thank you. In recent

weeks passengers on the Cleethorpes to Manchester rail routes have had

to the top with cancellations due to driver shortage. Customers do not

care if this is the company problem or union problem but can the good

offices be used to sort this out, please? I will be delighted to do so

and will try to do so. This is why the new into regions to end have

customary expedience right at the heart of them. Business question,

Chris