Transport Questions

:00:10. > :00:29.Order, order. The acting deputy Sergeant at arms is retiring at the

:00:30. > :00:34.end of this month. Colleaguds, he has worked at the House of Commons

:00:35. > :00:42.as a police officer and a door keeper since 1969. Olin Swedney the

:00:43. > :00:48.deputy deliverer of the votd, is also retiring after 46 years as a

:00:49. > :00:52.House employees, having worked in the Sergeant at Arms Departlent

:00:53. > :00:56.before moving to the Vote Office. I am sure that the whole Housd will

:00:57. > :01:02.join me in wishing these two very long serving members of staff the

:01:03. > :01:10.very best for their retiremdnts And in thanking them, as I know I do,

:01:11. > :01:13.extremely personally, for they are quite outstanding contributhons to

:01:14. > :01:21.this House and two public sdrvice over nearly five decades. They have

:01:22. > :01:28.helped most magnificently in contributing to the smooth running

:01:29. > :01:35.of the House. Thank you both. Order, questions to the Secretary of State

:01:36. > :01:41.for Transport. Mr David Mow`t. Question number one. Can I `ssociate

:01:42. > :01:46.myself with your remarks to both members of staff who are retiring. I

:01:47. > :01:54.wish them well. They would be welcome to come back and serve in a

:01:55. > :01:58.different role if they so whshed. Mr Speaker, in November last ydar, are

:01:59. > :02:03.confirmed plans for acceler`ting the construction of phase two, from the

:02:04. > :02:07.West Midlands to crew. That opens in 2027, six years earlier than

:02:08. > :02:11.planned. We are developing plans for the rest of phase two and I intend

:02:12. > :02:20.to make decisions on the rest of the route by the autumn at the latest.

:02:21. > :02:24.Thank you. The Secretary of State will be aware that HS2 is ctrrently

:02:25. > :02:29.evaluating a proposal to extend the airline North of Manchester to

:02:30. > :02:35.Wigan. The cost is around ?0 billion. As yet, no incremental or

:02:36. > :02:40.business or economic case h`s been produced. Will he undertake before a

:02:41. > :02:44.decision is taken to extend the line beyond Manchester, a business case

:02:45. > :02:49.will be laid before the House for review. When we do come forward with

:02:50. > :02:55.proposals, they will receivd the same scrutiny as the earlier part of

:02:56. > :02:57.the line. I believe that High Speed Rail Bill essential for the

:02:58. > :03:01.long-term economic future of the United Kingdom. It gives us the

:03:02. > :03:10.increased capacity that we so desperately need on our railways.

:03:11. > :03:16.Cook the Secretary of State tell us how planning the route for HS2 will

:03:17. > :03:25.be linked with planned improvements for East West rail travel, for

:03:26. > :03:28.example Liverpool to Hull? The honourable lady is right on this

:03:29. > :03:35.matter that this is part of what needs to be done. It is part of what

:03:36. > :03:44.is being addressed at the moment and we wait to see what infrastructure

:03:45. > :03:49.-- the infrastructure commission comes up with as far as the

:03:50. > :03:54.east-west link is concerned. With the Secretary of State give

:03:55. > :03:58.consideration as to how Middlewich railway station can be to

:03:59. > :04:06.passengers? It would facilitate much increased use of the rail lhne right

:04:07. > :04:17.into Manchester and relieve congestion on the M6. Well, I am not

:04:18. > :04:20.sure that comes into the HS2 development that I am happy to

:04:21. > :04:26.discuss these matters with ly honourable friend. And so whll my

:04:27. > :04:32.honourable friend, the Minister for rail. One of the reasons for

:04:33. > :04:36.developing a high-speed rail link is that we need to find more c`pacity

:04:37. > :04:42.on existing networks and ond way to do that is to provide the extra

:04:43. > :04:53.capacity that HS2 would givd. I share concerns mentioned. It is pure

:04:54. > :04:59.that there are no plans for HS2 north of Manchester, partictlarly to

:05:00. > :05:04.Wigan. And those in Lancashhre will be completely disconnected. Will he

:05:05. > :05:11.look at this? Mr Speaker, the simple fact is that from day one, HS2

:05:12. > :05:15.services will serve wider than just from where they are built to. Once

:05:16. > :05:18.they start serving Birmingh`m, it will be possible to link to

:05:19. > :05:24.conventional rail route, rather similar to how high-speed r`il

:05:25. > :05:28.trains run from Saint Pancr`s to Ashford and beyond on conventional

:05:29. > :05:36.railways. I hope that all p`rts of the UK, in the northern parts of the

:05:37. > :05:39.UK, get services from HS2 straightaway. When plans were put

:05:40. > :05:48.forward in November, none of the proposals for mitigation through my

:05:49. > :05:51.constituency were included. Can we have assurances that these proposals

:05:52. > :05:58.will continue to be looked `t throughout the passage of these

:05:59. > :06:02.proposals? Indeed. I can also say to my honourable friend and his

:06:03. > :06:06.constituents that they will have every opportunity to make their case

:06:07. > :06:13.when we bring forward the bhll, once it has been presented and that

:06:14. > :06:17.Committee stage. Mr Speaker, this is one of the largest and most

:06:18. > :06:22.expensive Government projects on the table. Just before Christmas, we

:06:23. > :06:24.have from the Secretary of State's permanent Secretary about the

:06:25. > :06:31.evaluation of high-speed ond. This was two years late and not hncluded

:06:32. > :06:34.in the early evaluation is for High Speed 2. How can he convincd us that

:06:35. > :06:38.he has a grip on the costs of this project and that the House will have

:06:39. > :06:42.full scrutiny of it? CalMac what I would say is that the honourable

:06:43. > :06:46.lady representing London constituency and will receive the

:06:47. > :06:55.benefit of Crossrail. That hs a very expensive scheme, not dissililar to

:06:56. > :07:00.the first part of phase two of HS2. That is how we're doing it. We're

:07:01. > :07:03.evaluating it very carefullx indeed. We will look very closely at the

:07:04. > :07:13.things the Public Accounts Committee tells us. They always tell ts in

:07:14. > :07:19.hindsight, never in advance. If the Wigan spa proceeds, does th`t mean

:07:20. > :07:23.that when it comes to extending the HS2 line-up to Scotland, it will go

:07:24. > :07:30.up the West Coast, rather than the east coast? Thereby missing out the

:07:31. > :07:35.north-east Newcastle? No. I very much want to see Newcastle served,

:07:36. > :07:38.as I want to see other locations. Those decisions are yet to be taken.

:07:39. > :07:48.There is no reason why Newc`stle cannot be serviced, as far `s the

:07:49. > :07:57.east side of HS2 is concerndd. We welcome the decision to accdlerate

:07:58. > :08:01.HS2's construction to Crewe. The whole construction is cruci`l for

:08:02. > :08:07.the Midlands and the North. This target has slipped by two ydars

:08:08. > :08:12.prolonging difficulty and uncertainty for residents and

:08:13. > :08:17.investors. There must be no doubt about the Government's commhtment to

:08:18. > :08:19.phase two. If the Chancellor with a Cheshire constituency was to

:08:20. > :08:25.terminate the route south of Manchester, it would be an `bject

:08:26. > :08:30.betrayal of the Northern powerhouse. I agree with the first point. I have

:08:31. > :08:33.had no stronger support frol any member of the Government more than

:08:34. > :08:38.from the Chancellor of the Dxchequer in promoting the scheme. Evdn though

:08:39. > :08:41.it does affect his constitudncy and he is clear as to the benefht it

:08:42. > :08:46.will bring, not just to the north, but to the UK as a whole. To some

:08:47. > :08:53.home imply that the Chancellor is against the scheme is compldtely

:08:54. > :08:56.wrong. I agree with her. But it is also right and one of the rdasons

:08:57. > :08:59.that I said I hoped to have the full scheme announced by the end of the

:09:00. > :09:05.year, tea leaves only way to make announcements sooner if possible, to

:09:06. > :09:13.relieve the plight of certahn areas which may not be affected... Number

:09:14. > :09:18.three, Mr Speaker. We are ddtermined to achieve the target of 10$

:09:19. > :09:25.biofuels inclusion by 2020 `nd are working with industry and others to

:09:26. > :09:32.that end. Thank you. There has been a ?400 million investment in fuels

:09:33. > :09:36.in my constituency. It provhdes 4000 jobs. The most cost-effective way of

:09:37. > :09:44.meeting transport emissions targets is to increase the share of bio

:09:45. > :09:55.ethanol in petrol. I must ddclare an interest as a hundred tonnes of

:09:56. > :09:58.material went to that plant. It is important we work together for a

:09:59. > :10:04.sustainable future. We must look carefully at knock-on effects in

:10:05. > :10:14.terms of decisions we make hn Europe, which can affect habitat in

:10:15. > :10:21.South America or the far east. With the Minister agree it is essential

:10:22. > :10:25.we get on with alternative fuels? Without it, levels of endnote two

:10:26. > :10:32.are causing permanent health managed to many people. At Tinsley, the

:10:33. > :10:39.local authority has decided to move a school away from the motorway

:10:40. > :10:43.Residents are still living there. In the end, it is down to Government to

:10:44. > :10:44.deal with problems such as `ir pollution from the motorway. When

:10:45. > :10:56.will the act? In the wake of the Volkswagdn

:10:57. > :11:01.scandal, we are working tow`rds that. We are pushing towards other

:11:02. > :11:06.fuel vehicles that have a p`rt to play and the governorate is

:11:07. > :11:11.determined to improve quality. I am glad my honourable friend h`s just

:11:12. > :11:15.mentioned a lecture vehicles, because Continental, which hs a

:11:16. > :11:20.major developer in electric car drive trains, making them for many

:11:21. > :11:23.manufacturers, is based on ly constituency. What is this

:11:24. > :11:29.department is doing to encotrage the development of electric cars?

:11:30. > :11:33.Certainly, the car grants h`ve been very successful. We have sedn an

:11:34. > :11:39.increase in the take-up of dlectric cars and as recently a teens, we

:11:40. > :11:43.have opened up a testing facility to test electric car, because the UK is

:11:44. > :11:46.taking a lead. This technology is being developed in the UK and this

:11:47. > :11:54.is a major product produced in the UK to contribute to this market On

:11:55. > :11:59.behalf of the SNP members, can I add my thanks and best wishes to the

:12:00. > :12:03.departing staff members. I wish them a happy retirement. Mr Speaker, we

:12:04. > :12:07.know there are good works that need to be done, but there is a glaring

:12:08. > :12:11.omission within the Governmdnt's worked just now. Regardless of the

:12:12. > :12:16.current fuel position, therd is a need to plan ahead. Oslo airport has

:12:17. > :12:23.become the first airport to use a sustainable jet biofuel. Groups have

:12:24. > :12:29.already signed agreements to buy the fuel. Meanwhile, here, the `viation

:12:30. > :12:32.ministry has raised concerns that this aviation agenda is not been

:12:33. > :12:37.supported by Government. Willingness to reconsider his position `nd

:12:38. > :12:43.include aviation in renewable transport obligations? I thhnk in

:12:44. > :12:49.terms of the sustainability of aviation, this is an import`nt year.

:12:50. > :12:55.We should get, I hope, an agreement on Haymarket -based mechanism to

:12:56. > :13:00.combat the issue of CO2. Thd industry are working with British

:13:01. > :13:05.Airways and virgin to reducd waste product, which will help

:13:06. > :13:10.sustainability of aviation. I do not think anybody, especially the

:13:11. > :13:14.aviation industry, is frustrated by the exhalations. The aviation

:13:15. > :13:19.industry tells me the UK Government is an policy paralysis. It hs not

:13:20. > :13:23.dealing with biofuel developing or airport expansion. Can we ask the

:13:24. > :13:27.Minister to commit to action on renewable transport fuel is an

:13:28. > :13:30.obligation for aviation? But is not the impression I get when I meet

:13:31. > :13:37.with representatives of the aviation industry. Sustainable aviathon is an

:13:38. > :13:41.industry -led initiative. I think this is a very important ye`r for

:13:42. > :13:45.the world in terms of tacrine CO2 emissions from aviation and a global

:13:46. > :13:54.-based mechanism is something we all want to achieve. I really do need to

:13:55. > :13:58.press the minister a bit further on this. Recently, British Airways

:13:59. > :14:03.postponed their green sky project to establish a facility to produce a

:14:04. > :14:07.fast biofuel aviation in thd UK While the issues involved that are

:14:08. > :14:10.no doubt complex, will be Mhnister listen to the increasingly

:14:11. > :14:14.widespread warnings from those involved in aviation that inaction

:14:15. > :14:19.and lack of clear policy direction from the Government are holding back

:14:20. > :14:22.the development and use of renewable fuels in aviation, missing

:14:23. > :14:26.opportunities to boost jobs and skills, and making it more difficult

:14:27. > :14:33.to meet our obligations on carbon emissions? I can understand the

:14:34. > :14:38.honourable gentleman's frustration at wanting to make more progress,

:14:39. > :14:44.but there are more than one ways of killing a cat. Yes, alternative

:14:45. > :14:49.fuels have an important place, but more importantly, a market ,based

:14:50. > :14:53.mechanism will allow other types of technology to be developed which can

:14:54. > :14:58.then be used to offset the dmissions from aviation, which will always be

:14:59. > :15:01.depended on liquid fuels. The Minister I fear is been acctsed of

:15:02. > :15:11.what we might call metaphorhcal in exactitude.

:15:12. > :15:15.Question number four, Mr Spdaker. Thank you very much will stop I

:15:16. > :15:20.shared a platform with the Scottish minister Keith Brown at the HS2

:15:21. > :15:24.conference on the 5th of November in Edinburgh. We discussed the benefits

:15:25. > :15:30.for Scotland and my right honourable friend the Secretary of State has

:15:31. > :15:34.arranged to meet Keith next week. I was actually going to ask a question

:15:35. > :15:38.about that very thing, and H will. The Minister will recall he was

:15:39. > :15:44.previously asked by my honotrable friend about the potential for

:15:45. > :15:50.increase of journey times north of crude to Scotland. Under thd current

:15:51. > :15:54.proposals for HS2, at the thme, he suggested that the upgrade on the

:15:55. > :15:58.line were already on the wax, therefore, will he now commhtted to

:15:59. > :16:05.providing the Scottish Government with a definitive timetable for

:16:06. > :16:09.these upgrade works? Well, H can tell the honourable lady th`t HS2

:16:10. > :16:14.will deliver increased benefits for Scotland from day one. Trains will

:16:15. > :16:17.leave Glasgow from day one `nd indeed, journey times will be

:16:18. > :16:22.reduced from four hours and 31 minutes to three hours and 46

:16:23. > :16:26.minutes. The network will bdnefit Scotland to the tune of ?3 billion.

:16:27. > :16:32.Interesting, she does not mdntion Nicola Sturgeon's own bullet train,

:16:33. > :16:39.the Glasgow-Edinburgh train, which she announced in 2012. She has now

:16:40. > :16:48.given her a bullet train thd bullet. Number five, sir. Thank you very

:16:49. > :16:51.much, Mr Speaker. The Government understands how important it is to

:16:52. > :16:56.have a reliable road network and that is why we are looking for 6

:16:57. > :17:04.billion for local road maintenance and into the portal action fund

:17:05. > :17:07.Grateful for that answer and I am very pleased that the Minister has

:17:08. > :17:12.agreed to come to Shrewsburx sin to look at some congestion problems we

:17:13. > :17:18.have in the town. But can I draw his attention to the state of roads in

:17:19. > :17:21.rural counties, with a huge number of potholes, lack of pavements and

:17:22. > :17:28.significant problems, and wd really need more investment for those roads

:17:29. > :17:32.in floral counties. I am looking forward to my visit to the

:17:33. > :17:36.honourable friend's constittency. We are going on the 27th of Max. I

:17:37. > :17:40.agree with his point that more budget is required, which is why the

:17:41. > :17:44.Government has increased its budget. I would like to mention that we are

:17:45. > :17:46.also incentivising part of the maintenance fund solely defhcient

:17:47. > :17:56.and in organised councils are rewarded. Cash back and org`nised

:17:57. > :18:02.councils are rewarded. The local council will benefit to this from

:18:03. > :18:07.the maximum. From this year until 2021, the A1 and the A19 will be

:18:08. > :18:10.undergoing extensive roadworks. Whilst this investment is wdlcome,

:18:11. > :18:14.the current plans show that both roads are going to be upgraded at

:18:15. > :18:19.the same time. This will crdate total chaos on a region's road

:18:20. > :18:21.network and bring the north,east to a total standstill. I have written

:18:22. > :19:22.to the Secretary of I thank my honourable friend for

:19:23. > :19:25.that question. I will indeed join him in praising Dorset County

:19:26. > :19:30.Council. It is greatly Tudor long-term approach is paying

:19:31. > :19:35.dividends. I will write to Dorset to highlight to them the viewers of

:19:36. > :19:38.this House and offer our congratulations. I will confirm his

:19:39. > :19:48.main point that budgets will increase. Last year, ?4.5 mhllion in

:19:49. > :19:51.compensation was awarded for damage due to potholes. Last year, the

:19:52. > :19:56.Government allocated from Westminster extra money to deal with

:19:57. > :20:04.the issue of potholes. Can H ask the minister would you consider the same

:20:05. > :20:06.amount of money for this ye`r? Well, I will certainly look into that

:20:07. > :20:12.question and rights to the honourable gentleman with the

:20:13. > :20:18.answer. Just for the avoidance of doubt, can I put on the record I

:20:19. > :20:24.have never actually skinned a cat. LAUGHTER

:20:25. > :20:28.But I have skinned a large number of rabbits, and I imagine any

:20:29. > :20:33.principles are the same. To answer this question, the department is

:20:34. > :20:39.providing over ?7 billion for the devolved local growth fund, which

:20:40. > :20:43.will fund over 500 local tr`nsport projects by 2021. This also includes

:20:44. > :20:47.?475 billion for local transport schemes that are too large for the

:20:48. > :20:53.default allocations. We will provide further details in the spring. I

:20:54. > :20:57.would like to thank the Secretary of State for meeting with me and my

:20:58. > :21:01.honourable friend and members for Thornbury last week to disctss our

:21:02. > :21:10.campaign for a new junction on the M4. Can my honourable friend make an

:21:11. > :21:16.assessment on that, which whll reduce congestion? Certainlx, I have

:21:17. > :21:19.seen examples and down the country where projects like this have

:21:20. > :21:29.unlocked growth and created jobs in particular areas. I have asked

:21:30. > :21:34.England today tickles the abyss Thank you, Mr Speaker. Can H call

:21:35. > :21:39.for evidence for future road projects. One of the areas hs

:21:40. > :21:42.connecting northern cities. We have put evidence into the commission for

:21:43. > :21:46.the trans-Pennine Tunnel link. Could the minister in for me whether he

:21:47. > :21:50.knows when the report will be made and after that, how soon will he

:21:51. > :21:56.make his mind up about which project he might fund? Certainly thdse

:21:57. > :22:01.decisions will be made quicker than they were in the previous L`bour

:22:02. > :22:05.Government, which didn't get get rent investing in infrastructure.

:22:06. > :22:09.The infrastructure Commission is looking at big-ticket items, major

:22:10. > :22:11.projects which will be transformational for areas, not

:22:12. > :22:15.least in the North of England, and we are determined to push forward

:22:16. > :22:24.with that Powerhouse project. Following on from the answer to the

:22:25. > :22:36.question for my honourable friend, will the new junction on thd M4

:22:37. > :22:40.unlock new jobs in Emersons Green? My honourable friend was at that

:22:41. > :22:43.meeting and he made those points to the secretary of state. It hs

:22:44. > :22:46.absolutely vital that we look at how we can unlock growth and jobs

:22:47. > :22:50.through investment in infrastructure, something this

:22:51. > :22:55.Government understands. Is the minister able to see whether funding

:22:56. > :22:58.will be available for a verx important local project, whhch is

:22:59. > :23:07.extending the overground line from West Croydon through to Sattrn,

:23:08. > :23:13.which would enable passengers to rely on better services and use

:23:14. > :23:17.those on set? We have got investment in both our conventional

:23:18. > :23:21.RealNetworks, high-speed rahl and the strategic roads network as well

:23:22. > :23:25.as working with local authorities on their local schemes and that is just

:23:26. > :23:32.the sort of scheme will look closely at. Compelling business casd for the

:23:33. > :23:35.crossing in Lowestoft was stbmitted to his department just before

:23:36. > :23:39.Christmas. I would be grateful if you could advise as to whether a bid

:23:40. > :23:42.will be submitted to the local maintenance fund so we can get on

:23:43. > :23:48.and build this bridge and it is completed by 2020? I had thd

:23:49. > :23:52.pleasure of visiting my honourable friend's constituency and sden that

:23:53. > :23:57.issue for myself, and I will certainly be in a position to make

:23:58. > :23:59.an announcement in due course. At the last transport questions, I

:24:00. > :24:05.asked the Secretary of Statd if you could look into the issue of excess

:24:06. > :24:08.noise coming from the M60 w`terway, which has been made worse as a

:24:09. > :24:13.result of the Denton pinch points scheme. Since then, I have let with

:24:14. > :24:17.officers of highways England on site with the residents and highways

:24:18. > :24:22.England officers have basic`lly told me they will not do anything because

:24:23. > :24:27.it only affects eight properties. Can the Minister please meet with me

:24:28. > :24:34.to discuss this, to knock some common sense into Highways Dngland,

:24:35. > :24:38.who has given me a jobsworth answer? I know that around the country there

:24:39. > :24:42.are particular communities `ffected by noise and often mitigation can be

:24:43. > :24:45.put in place by putting in better road surface materials or pttting in

:24:46. > :24:50.noise barriers. Maybe something could be done in that area. Can I

:24:51. > :24:55.suggest you get in touch with the roads minister, who will no doubt be

:24:56. > :25:01.very happy to meet with him. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Just days `fter the

:25:02. > :25:06.Government election, he will sing for himself the impact of transport

:25:07. > :25:10.disruption caused by this whnter's unprecedented winter condithons I

:25:11. > :25:16.am sure he would join me in paying tribute to Network Rail, who managed

:25:17. > :25:20.to get lines open within fotr days. We remain committed to getthng all

:25:21. > :25:24.these lines back up and abld to run a full service safely, as soon as.

:25:25. > :25:28.And sure she would also likd to thank passengers for their patience

:25:29. > :25:36.during this time. Thank you. I absolutely sure that apprechation

:25:37. > :25:39.for passengers and their patience. Money is being taken away from

:25:40. > :25:44.routine maintenance and flood defences. There is a massivd effect

:25:45. > :25:45.on our local economy. If thdre has been an assessment carried out,

:25:46. > :25:56.surely that should be made public? I must disagree. The Governlent

:25:57. > :25:59.announced that its flood spdnding will be ?1.7 billion higher than in

:26:00. > :26:05.the previous period. Within our transport Budget, around ?900

:26:06. > :26:15.billion is dedicated to things like making sure banks and busindsses are

:26:16. > :26:23.safe. Improving the rail network, making sure it is fit for a changing

:26:24. > :26:28.climate, it's absolutely central to our investment in the railw`ys.

:26:29. > :26:32.Could the Minister clarify what discussions have taken placd with

:26:33. > :26:39.colleagues in Defra to prep`re rail links for the flood damage that is

:26:40. > :26:47.likely to happen in the next weeks and months, as a result of climate

:26:48. > :26:52.change? All of the COBRA discussions dealing with the immediate

:26:53. > :26:59.after-effects had strong tr`nsport representation. I saw for mxself

:27:00. > :27:02.with her counterpart from the SNP in Scotland, the impact of the scarring

:27:03. > :27:08.on the lamington viaduct and that bridge has been there for over a 100

:27:09. > :27:14.years and has never been so damaged by a weather event. It will be open

:27:15. > :27:18.by the 1st of March. We takd these links incredibly important day. Two

:27:19. > :27:23.years ago, the Prem and it stood on the ruins of the Polish sea wall and

:27:24. > :27:27.said, if money needs to be spent, it will be spent if resources `re

:27:28. > :27:33.required, we will provide them. Now, we learn that Network Rail cannot

:27:34. > :27:35.fund even a report on improving the south-west's railway lines, putting

:27:36. > :27:40.millions of pounds of investment risk. Yesterday, the feminist could

:27:41. > :27:45.not say whether that money ,- where that money would come from. Will the

:27:46. > :27:53.real Minister on her right honourable friend's commitmdnt and

:27:54. > :27:58.committed to funding? The honourable lady must sort out her facts. This

:27:59. > :28:04.Government spent 35 money in pounds on the Dawlish repair. It opened in

:28:05. > :28:07.record time. We are spending over ?400 billion on transport investment

:28:08. > :28:12.in the south-west, unlike otr party, who wanted to can to major roads.

:28:13. > :28:17.And I am looking very careftlly if she would like to listen rather than

:28:18. > :28:21.chapter, at how do we found a small amount of money that in no way

:28:22. > :28:25.inhibits the overall report we looking forward to seeing from this

:28:26. > :28:34.very important organisation in April. The Government believes

:28:35. > :28:39.franchising is the best way to deliver benefits for passengers and

:28:40. > :28:44.taxpayers. Proof is in the benefit we came in an open market, such as

:28:45. > :28:50.new trains, more frequent sdrvices and improved stations. We are

:28:51. > :28:55.consulting on the specification for the next south western franchise. I

:28:56. > :29:02.hope my honourable friend is fully engaged in this process. Th`nk you.

:29:03. > :29:08.Southern rail allegedly serves several stations in my constituency

:29:09. > :29:12.but commuters are fed up with cancellations and severe delays I

:29:13. > :29:15.am glad the Secretary of St`te acknowledges the service is not good

:29:16. > :29:22.enough but will he reassure me that the main line West is considered as

:29:23. > :29:28.part of future improvement plans? Will be franchise be withdr`wn if no

:29:29. > :29:34.such improvement shown? We `re seeing unprecedented growth in rail

:29:35. > :29:37.traffic and transport. The importance is matched by thd way the

:29:38. > :29:47.Government has increased investment for Network Rail. Some of these

:29:48. > :29:51.improvements must take placd. However, while some of it is taking

:29:52. > :29:56.place, there will be disruption That may be because the trahn

:29:57. > :30:01.operating companies are responsible but it could also be the result of

:30:02. > :30:08.failure is on behalf of previous governments to upgrade the railways.

:30:09. > :30:12.There is unlikely to be much UK steel in the train building contract

:30:13. > :30:16.just ordered to the Spanish, what can the Government do to usd

:30:17. > :30:20.franchising and other measures to ensure that its new procurelent

:30:21. > :30:26.guidelines, which are a big step in right direction, begin to h`ve some

:30:27. > :30:33.purchase, to make sure we h`ve steel content in contracts? Firstly, I

:30:34. > :30:41.would point out the amount of money spent by Network Rail when

:30:42. > :30:47.purchasing steel. That is an important move in the right place.

:30:48. > :30:51.It would have been a bigger betrayal to people in the North if wd had not

:30:52. > :31:01.said we need new rolling stock. I am pleased that this Government will

:31:02. > :31:07.see this replacement. Record investment has been put into the

:31:08. > :31:14.railways by this Government. For many years, commuters in my

:31:15. > :31:19.constituency have found that carriages at rush hour are heavily

:31:20. > :31:23.overcrowded. About the third worst in the country. Can we be assured

:31:24. > :31:32.that the new franchising rule will deal with this? Whether the new rule

:31:33. > :31:38.leads to more problems on that track... I am pleased that the

:31:39. > :31:43.investment is taking place `nd not least the work on the Farnborough

:31:44. > :31:51.tunnel. That will increase capacity and availability of electric trains

:31:52. > :31:53.to serve his constituency. Could the Secretary of State learn from the

:31:54. > :31:59.Scottish Government in terms of franchising? As well as cre`ting

:32:00. > :32:09.capacity, get commitments from real living wage for staff,

:32:10. > :32:13.apprenticeships, not compulsory at redundancies? I trust the Scottish

:32:14. > :32:19.Government is learning from what we have achieved in franchises. A lot

:32:20. > :32:28.of policies being followed by the Scottish Government are basdd on

:32:29. > :32:31.policies we implemented. In 201 , FirstGroup, who ran First Great

:32:32. > :32:34.Western, avoided paying contractual premium payments to the Tre`sury by

:32:35. > :32:40.choosing not to take up an extension. In January, the Secretary

:32:41. > :32:45.of State abandoned the petition for a new franchise and simply `greed to

:32:46. > :32:50.a renewal until 2015 and announced a second direct award running until

:32:51. > :32:56.2019, avoiding inconveniencd over competitive bidding process. Has the

:32:57. > :33:04.Government not made a mockery of the free franchise? Can I welcole the

:33:05. > :33:14.honourable member to his post? I hope he lasts longer than hhs

:33:15. > :33:20.predecessor. The franchise... Can I just point out to the Shadow

:33:21. > :33:33.Minister for rail, the contract he refers to, was a contract ndgotiated

:33:34. > :33:45.by the last Labour Government. I am pleased to remind him of thd words

:33:46. > :33:51.of the role member for toothng. He said that one reason we are able to

:33:52. > :33:54.invest record sums in our r`ilways is the revenues that franchhsing

:33:55. > :34:03.brings in the premiums it p`ys. That was when he was in a position of

:34:04. > :34:14.responsibility. In May 2000 seven. Minister at the box. Sorry, I didn't

:34:15. > :34:19.hear you, Mr Speaker. Apologies We meet regularly with Network Rail

:34:20. > :34:28.regarding the trans-Pennine line. This will deliver fast journey times

:34:29. > :34:34.and increased capacity. And I associate myself with the gdnerous

:34:35. > :34:47.jujitsu paid to those great servants of the House -- generous trhbute is

:34:48. > :34:53.paid. Real ministers today have challenged us over the facts. The

:34:54. > :34:57.trans-Pennine electrification is in severe doubt because of what is

:34:58. > :35:02.happening in the south. Electrification is four years late,

:35:03. > :35:09.new trains arrive before thd rails are ready and they are packhng up

:35:10. > :35:16.inside it. You will be on the party invitation list with a question of

:35:17. > :35:19.such length! Under this Govdrnment, we have seen more electrification

:35:20. > :35:30.than we saw the entire 13 ydars of the Labour Government. The North of

:35:31. > :35:34.England rail electric edition task force, which the minister chaired,

:35:35. > :35:43.recommended Liverpool, Manchester Warrington, with other locations as

:35:44. > :35:49.a third priority. When will they work take place on this project

:35:50. > :35:56.That task force was about informing the next control period and the one

:35:57. > :36:06.after that. The detailed content is not yet complete. Number 11, please.

:36:07. > :36:16.Number ten, a modest differdnce but an important one. This is ddsigned

:36:17. > :36:20.to assist families in the constituency. We will provide ?

:36:21. > :36:28.million to Lancashire Countx Council to help prioritise repairs.

:36:29. > :36:36.Congratulations on your response to the floods. Can the Minister look at

:36:37. > :36:41.private bridges in Rossendale and Darwen? I understand he is not

:36:42. > :36:44.liable but there were a couple of places where they collapsed, causing

:36:45. > :36:50.flooding and millions of potnds worth of damage. If we can find

:36:51. > :36:57.money to repair them, it cotld be a case of a stitch in time saves nine.

:36:58. > :37:03.I will look at that. We're not in a position to provide assistance for

:37:04. > :37:09.private infrastructure which is not a public right of way. The TK

:37:10. > :37:15.freight sector is dependent on areas like Lancashire. Given that

:37:16. > :37:21.ministers have come to this House three times to say the storls are

:37:22. > :37:30.unprecedented, they clearly are not. What will the Government do to make

:37:31. > :37:36.sure our national infrastructure has resilience and that there are plans

:37:37. > :37:40.for rapid repairs? The strategic road network has been particularly

:37:41. > :37:43.resilient, despite the storls we have had. Network Rail have been

:37:44. > :37:50.valiant in the way they havd fixed problems. Particularly over

:37:51. > :37:55.Christmas. They engaged in `n upgrade programme. We must learn

:37:56. > :37:59.lessons. Network Rail are on stand-by this week in areas where

:38:00. > :38:04.they suspect there may be problems. It might I shall ask question number

:38:05. > :38:13.11. Since I have the abilitx to count. Clearly a man who has had a

:38:14. > :38:17.double espresso this morning. I have had discussions with Network Rail

:38:18. > :38:21.and this issue has not yet been raised. I was proud to open this

:38:22. > :38:27.upgrade on the line. A masshve improvement for freight cap`city and

:38:28. > :38:35.four passenger capacity. Network Rail produced track noise and

:38:36. > :38:39.vibration through welded rahl use. I am astonished that she is unaware of

:38:40. > :38:46.the issue. I have been cont`cted by large numbers of constituents,

:38:47. > :38:53.suffering from noise and vibrations from the line. Will my honotrable

:38:54. > :39:00.friend put pressure on Network Rail so that they do something to help?

:39:01. > :39:04.Again, I know huge amount of consultation went on with this

:39:05. > :39:09.scheme, including for local schoolchildren to let them know of

:39:10. > :39:12.the dangers of high speed trains. If the honourable member can sdt out

:39:13. > :39:20.his concerns in more detail, I will of course reason is at my ndxt

:39:21. > :39:23.meeting. Mr Speaker, I have had regular discussions with ministerial

:39:24. > :39:30.colleagues on the new Europdan emission test cards. The Government

:39:31. > :39:35.strongly supports the emisshons agreement, expected to reduce

:39:36. > :39:42.real-world oxides, and nitrogen emissions from diesel cars. The

:39:43. > :39:46.Secretary of State will be `ware that the European Commission has

:39:47. > :39:52.proposed new rules to test car emissions, following the Volkswagen

:39:53. > :40:03.scandal. What discussions h`d - has the UK Government had? Therd have

:40:04. > :40:06.been negotiations. I did report back to the House on the conclushons of

:40:07. > :40:19.the transport Council. This is an important subject that we address

:40:20. > :40:25.across car manufacturing. Thank you. Highways England's delivery plan

:40:26. > :40:29.sets out how they will deliver the Government strategy. Work on site is

:40:30. > :40:36.already under way in 19 major schemes. I will meet with them on a

:40:37. > :40:43.monthly basis to monitor progress. Thank you for that reply. Wd're

:40:44. > :40:49.grateful for the upgrade of a road in my constituency. We are keen to

:40:50. > :40:55.get a report to a dentist bx the precise route, to commence work in

:40:56. > :41:00.2019. Can the Minister give an update, please?

:41:01. > :41:08.I can indeed. We anticipate engagement with stakeholders and the

:41:09. > :41:13.wider public later this year. We are on track to start constructhon in

:41:14. > :41:18.2019 as planned and I last Highways in winter to keep you inforled of

:41:19. > :41:22.progress. Thank you, Mr Spe`ker With the EU minister give md

:41:23. > :41:26.reassurance that the long ndeded and very congregated link Road hn my

:41:27. > :41:29.constituency will be perhaps properly looked at because ht can

:41:30. > :41:35.deliver new jobs, reduce congestion and increase productivity and access

:41:36. > :41:42.to Southampton Airport, and has been decades in waiting? Let me start by

:41:43. > :41:47.congratulating her for this work on this issue. She has put an dnormous

:41:48. > :41:50.amount of effort into it. It is a significant local problem, the

:41:51. > :41:54.congestion there. I am award that the work that the council are doing

:41:55. > :41:58.and perhaps it would be helpful if we met outside of Europe to discuss

:41:59. > :42:04.what we can do to move this project forward. Question 14. I would like

:42:05. > :42:07.to pay tribute to Network R`il and hard-working army of more than

:42:08. > :42:11.20,000 staff, who successfully delivered some ?150 million worth of

:42:12. > :42:17.essential improvements to the network the holiday period `s part

:42:18. > :42:21.of a record period of investment in railways. Planning for Eastdr is

:42:22. > :42:26.well in advance and Christm`s is being embedded in the plannhng

:42:27. > :42:31.process for beyond. Network Rail are rightly criticised when thex failed

:42:32. > :42:36.to deliver, but given that tnsung success in delivering a large number

:42:37. > :42:40.of complex projects on-time and on budget, would my honourable friend

:42:41. > :42:44.join me insane well done to the Army for a job well done? I am more than

:42:45. > :42:48.happy to do that. It is verx difficult to do these works. We do

:42:49. > :42:52.tend to do them over a bank holidays when there is not much usagd on the

:42:53. > :42:58.network. I realise that causes inconvenience to those who want to

:42:59. > :43:03.travel by but that is a major part of thes and upgrade that is vitally

:43:04. > :43:08.necessary. The right on-board gentleman as an sure is a fdllow

:43:09. > :43:13.West MP is pleased the Government has already invested about ?400

:43:14. > :43:17.million in rail infrastructtre in the south-west. Recently, the main

:43:18. > :43:21.line to Penzance, developing a freight network and electrifying the

:43:22. > :43:28.main Western mainline, refurbishing the Cornish sleeper, a brand-new

:43:29. > :43:32.station at Newport, just outside his constituency, and indeed another

:43:33. > :43:37.station planned in his constituency, plus 29 new trains. This Government

:43:38. > :43:41.gets the importance of rail investment in the south-west. Of

:43:42. > :43:46.course, the electrification she talks about is to south Walds, not

:43:47. > :43:49.into the south-west. Mr Spe`ker the people of the West Country well

:43:50. > :43:55.remember the repeated promises made by the Transport Secretary `nd by

:43:56. > :43:58.the Chancellor and Prime Minister of billions of pounds of investment of

:43:59. > :44:04.rail in the south-west and she has just, a moment ago, failed once

:44:05. > :44:08.again to confirm the Governlent will commit a paltry ?500,000 for the

:44:09. > :44:12.feasibility study that Devon and Cornwall needs after the Dawlish

:44:13. > :44:17.disaster to improve resilience and rail transport times. Don't the

:44:18. > :44:23.people of the south-west fedl rightly completely betrayed by this

:44:24. > :44:26.Government? Mr Speaker, month after month, the honourable gentldman gets

:44:27. > :44:30.here and seems to be in complete denial about the fact that his

:44:31. > :44:35.Government did nothing for the people of the south-west and his

:44:36. > :44:40.party wanted to cancel the vital A358 Five Rd scheme which hdlps

:44:41. > :44:44.people direct to his constituency. I am happy to discuss this further

:44:45. > :44:49.that the very small amount of money that is required to do one technical

:44:50. > :44:53.feasibility study, a tiny p`rt of the south-west task force study I

:44:54. > :44:58.am looking at ways to find that and we expect that report out in April

:44:59. > :45:04.and deliver a real, strateghc uplift of what this region requires. To

:45:05. > :45:08.help my honourable friend, which she be willing to meet with mysdlf and

:45:09. > :45:14.fellow colleagues in the sotth-west to ensure the Network Rail `nd the

:45:15. > :45:19.task force has enough funding for the two studies into the

:45:20. > :45:22.electrification of the line and the reduction in journey times? I am

:45:23. > :45:25.always happy to meet with mx honourable friend. Let me gdntly

:45:26. > :45:30.remind them Network Rail have already spent almost ?3.5 mhllion

:45:31. > :45:34.support in the analysis of the resilient writ and a very vhtal it

:45:35. > :45:38.geological survey of the se` cliffs along this area. This work will be

:45:39. > :45:45.done, the Government will lhsten, and this Government, unlike that

:45:46. > :45:54.slot, will invest in the sotth-west. -- unlike that lot. I have dnormous

:45:55. > :45:58.sympathy for those people flooded out of their homes. I am determined

:45:59. > :46:01.we will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with local commtnities

:46:02. > :46:08.as they strive to return to business as usual. That is why I comlission

:46:09. > :46:10.those highways agencies and Network Rail to work particularly closely

:46:11. > :46:19.with local authorities directly affected by flooding. Unsustainable

:46:20. > :46:22.cuts have left Lancashire County Council only able to providd

:46:23. > :46:28.statutory services across the county. This is an end to fdar box

:46:29. > :46:32.subsidies. Bus routes have been cut or downgraded by this Government

:46:33. > :46:38.nationally. Why is it that this Government is leaving bus users

:46:39. > :46:44.without services? Mr Speaker, I think the honourable gentlelan needs

:46:45. > :46:47.to question Labour as they control the council on how they provide

:46:48. > :46:51.those services, along with other local authorities, which have

:46:52. > :46:55.managed to enhance their bus services. My department has secured

:46:56. > :47:04.funding and will continue to do so, and will continue to support bus

:47:05. > :47:09.services across the country. Can you comment on the timetable ch`nges on

:47:10. > :47:12.the quality of commuters lids in Southend, and the franchise has been

:47:13. > :47:17.renewed. The impact is now being blamed on the Government. Would my

:47:18. > :47:20.right honourable friend leave the train operators in no doubt at all

:47:21. > :47:22.that the Member of Parliament for Southend West believes thesd

:47:23. > :47:30.timetable changes are simplx untenable? I well remember ly

:47:31. > :47:36.honourable friend campaigning to keep C2C as the franchise.

:47:37. > :47:42.Obviously, any new changes darly on any franchise sometimes lead to

:47:43. > :47:46.difficulties, but I am concdrned to work with my honourable fridnd. C2C

:47:47. > :47:52.are improving the service and our one of the highest reliabilhty is

:47:53. > :47:59.across the country. They ard going to be bringing in additional stock

:48:00. > :48:03.later in the spring. Speaker, in last week was my opposition debate

:48:04. > :48:07.on the cost of public transport the members opposite seemed reltctant to

:48:08. > :48:10.say anything about buses and particularly about fares, which is

:48:11. > :48:17.no surprise, because the department is hardly any information on this.

:48:18. > :48:21.Others teleservices risen 26% in 2010, three times as fast as wages.

:48:22. > :48:27.When will he start collecting and publishing the data? Or would you

:48:28. > :48:30.rather the public did not know? Mr Speaker, I think, and I will check

:48:31. > :48:36.this if I have been wrongly misinformed, I welcome back, but we

:48:37. > :48:42.published the same data and more has been published. Mr Speaker, oil

:48:43. > :48:46.prices are now low, but we have not seen bus operators passing on those

:48:47. > :48:50.savings to passengers. It w`s different when oil prices wdre going

:48:51. > :48:55.up, when Ferrers went up to. We ll be state put pressure on thd

:48:56. > :49:05.operators to cut fares? Will he stand up for bus passengers? I hope

:49:06. > :49:10.that bobsleighers come down -- I hope that bus fares come down. Fuel

:49:11. > :49:17.prices are only one part of our industry's costs. The other is about

:49:18. > :49:22.investment in new buses, whhch I very much welcome and I havd seen

:49:23. > :49:26.many examples of that taking place. Quite often, oil is bought hn

:49:27. > :49:28.advance, but I do agree with him that bus companies should look to

:49:29. > :49:37.see if there is room to redtce the cost of the use of buses. Thank you.

:49:38. > :49:42.Thousands of hard-working pdople from my constituency rely, like me,

:49:43. > :49:47.to get into London every dax by train. We are utterly despahring at

:49:48. > :49:51.the ever declining service tnder the new franchise. What assurance can

:49:52. > :49:56.the Minister give us that the ThamesLink will be head to `ccount

:49:57. > :50:00.for these failures and what hope can he provide for future improvements

:50:01. > :50:04.to the service? Mr Speaker, the honourable gentleman knows that I

:50:05. > :50:08.think it is inexcusable that some customers on this part of the

:50:09. > :50:12.network are not receiving the service they deserve. The n`tional

:50:13. > :50:15.rail passenger survey this week said that three out of four passdngers on

:50:16. > :50:20.this franchise well in fact satisfied with the service. But

:50:21. > :50:25.problems are being fixed, stch as driver sorted is and old tr`ins but

:50:26. > :50:28.Network Rail have got to do better when it comes to fixing faults and

:50:29. > :50:32.communicating with these passengers. It is the fact that these lhnes are

:50:33. > :50:35.very old, successive governlents failed to invest in them and we are

:50:36. > :50:41.all completely committed to getting all part of this franchise back to

:50:42. > :50:45.high performance. In the light of a recent proposal to build a railway

:50:46. > :50:50.line from China to Europe whth capacity for freight and passenger

:50:51. > :50:53.traffic, will we consider what further investment is required to

:50:54. > :50:57.ensure that regions and nathons of Britain are effectively linked to

:50:58. > :51:01.the content? I had one of the most interesting and informative meetings

:51:02. > :51:05.with the honourable gentlem`n, who has been a long-standing calpaigner

:51:06. > :51:09.for this. I think the idea hs appealing in concept, but it does

:51:10. > :51:12.need to be examined in a lot more detail and a stronger econolic case

:51:13. > :51:15.made. I would welcome his involvement and the involvelent of

:51:16. > :51:21.others in putting a more substantive business case before me. As a result

:51:22. > :51:26.of changes shockingly agreed by the Labour Government in 2006, the rail

:51:27. > :51:31.Minister knows that only three out of 63 trains a day operate

:51:32. > :51:35.cross-country on so-called hntercity service and the at least at the city

:51:36. > :51:40.of Gloucester. Would my honourable friend agree with me that it is

:51:41. > :51:44.absolutely vital that a significant increase in the numbers of trains

:51:45. > :51:48.stopping at cost is a vital part of any settlement to extend thd

:51:49. > :51:50.cross-country franchise? Thdre is a reason Gloucester has electdd the

:51:51. > :51:55.honourable gentleman twice now, because unlike the last lot, he

:51:56. > :51:58.stands offer a rail link is for his constituency. He has made hhs case

:51:59. > :52:03.many times that the rail link in question is a very important one.

:52:04. > :52:09.The cross-country consultathon process is currently in consultation

:52:10. > :52:14.and he will make a good representation. Thank you, Lr

:52:15. > :52:21.Speaker. What discussions h`s the Minister had on the VCA had with

:52:22. > :52:27.folks like to ensure that UK taxpayers are not out of pocket for

:52:28. > :52:32.the resetting and testing of Volkswagen vehicles following the

:52:33. > :52:36.scandal? As I referred to the answer which I gave your honourabld friend

:52:37. > :52:41.some time ago, discussions `re ongoing on this particular latter.

:52:42. > :52:45.It is something I have taken up and have taken up meetings with folks

:52:46. > :52:50.like in. I believe they appdared before the Transport Committee

:52:51. > :52:59.earlier this week as well. Can my right honourable friend tell the

:53:00. > :53:02.House has Arriva acquiring the Northern Rail franchise will help to

:53:03. > :53:05.support the Northern Powerhouse construction? And more importantly,

:53:06. > :53:10.will it help improve rail sdrvices in the Macclesfield constittency? I

:53:11. > :53:16.think my honourable friend should know that the last time this

:53:17. > :53:21.franchise was led, in 2004, it was a growth exercise. That is quhte

:53:22. > :53:29.reversed what we have done. The new franchise will oversee the complete

:53:30. > :53:32.removal of the outdated places by Rita in the year. Brand-new

:53:33. > :53:38.air-conditioned carriages, lore than 2000 extra services will be provided

:53:39. > :53:43.each week, including around 400 on Sundays. Space furnished 130,00

:53:44. > :53:53.passengers and ?5 million investment in stations. So, yes, you whll see a

:53:54. > :53:58.major improvement. Government support for hydrogen fuel cdll

:53:59. > :54:02.technology. Can you comment on that? Thank you, Mr Speaker. Hydrogen fuel

:54:03. > :54:12.for electric vehicles has the potential to play in Portug`l indeed

:54:13. > :54:15.carbonise and transport and -- developing a road map for hxdrogen

:54:16. > :54:22.transport. I think it has a long future. Is the Secretary of State

:54:23. > :54:26.aware that back in the 17th century, the border of King's Lynn w`s the

:54:27. > :54:30.fourth largest in the country and it has been thriving ever sincd, but is

:54:31. > :54:33.now under severe threat frol a pernicious and job destroying

:54:34. > :54:39.European import services regulation? What will the Minister do to make

:54:40. > :54:45.the EU sees sense and withdraw this unwonted regulation? Thank xou. I

:54:46. > :54:48.have always made it clear that this regulation is not required to

:54:49. > :54:55.protect UK problems, becausd we already have a competitive port

:54:56. > :54:58.sector. The general approach of the council did address many of our

:54:59. > :55:05.concerns, particular to the market exemption. This week, the ET

:55:06. > :55:09.Parliament committee did not give the committee the mandate to go

:55:10. > :55:15.forward to trial. At the molent it is running into the deep sand and I

:55:16. > :55:19.hope it will remain there. St Helens North is in the Mersey travdl area,

:55:20. > :55:23.but thousands of my constittents commute outside it to work hn Wigan,

:55:24. > :55:28.Warrington and Manchester, leaning they effectively pay a levy on their

:55:29. > :55:36.journey. What progress has been made towards a smart ticketing sxstem for

:55:37. > :55:38.the North of England? The transport for the organisation are developing

:55:39. > :55:43.their plans for smart ticketing across the North. The Government has

:55:44. > :55:52.provided ?150 million to provide them help with this project. We in

:55:53. > :55:56.Nottinghamshire and thank Gordon Brown for dualling the A46.

:55:57. > :56:00.Unfortunate, as is often thd way, the money ran out and it ends

:56:01. > :56:07.outside new work and the grhdlock begins. Will my right honourable

:56:08. > :56:08.friend confirm that the Aa 46 to win thought is in the Government's plan

:56:09. > :56:21.and could be brought My honourable friend is a dhligent

:56:22. > :56:27.campaigner on this issue. Wd met in October. It is a highly complex

:56:28. > :56:32.scheme. The Government will begin construction in our next period

:56:33. > :56:36.Development work begins now. I cannot tell him that the scheme is

:56:37. > :56:43.coming forward. As we appro`ch merely the second anniversary of the

:56:44. > :56:47.privately financed initiative to electrify the line at Selby, Italian

:56:48. > :56:59.minister update us on this no-brainer, a benefit to both the

:57:00. > :57:02.travelling public and... ? This is a ground-breaking way to deliver

:57:03. > :57:10.infrastructure. We want to deliver this. I am happy to get an tpdate on

:57:11. > :57:14.the exact timing and write to her. This morning, my train to London

:57:15. > :57:20.Bridge got me in on time. Whth the Minister agree that as well as being

:57:21. > :57:32.negative, we should be positive to our rail networks when they get it

:57:33. > :57:38.right, most days? Correct. There has been a massive upgrade on this line.

:57:39. > :57:41.There will be difficulties `t certain stages during the

:57:42. > :57:44.reconstruction of the line. Once it is finished, it will be a f`r

:57:45. > :57:52.superior line and will benefit from the new trains later this spring.

:57:53. > :57:57.Proposals published yesterd`y by the EU commission on emissions standards

:57:58. > :58:01.was a real opportunity to ttrn a corner and get to grips with an

:58:02. > :58:03.industry that for too long has circumvented environmental

:58:04. > :58:08.regulations. Will he give us an assurance that these propos`ls will

:58:09. > :58:12.not become a bargaining chip in the Prime Minister's renegotiathon,

:58:13. > :58:21.resulting in a watered-down outcomes? We will consider carefully

:58:22. > :58:37.what we will do with the proposals made by the commission. The impact

:58:38. > :58:46.which the events in Sharm el-Sheikh have had on the Egyptian economy

:58:47. > :58:54.cannot be overstated. Can the 1 million British holiday-makdrs who

:58:55. > :59:00.wish to go there go back? I cannot yet say when the resumption of

:59:01. > :59:06.flights might be possible. We reached a decision with the Egyptian

:59:07. > :59:09.of in December. Since then, we have an ongoing presence in Sharl

:59:10. > :59:14.el-Sheikh, working with Egyptians and good progress is being lade I

:59:15. > :59:17.fully understand the import`nce to Egypt of the resumption of flights

:59:18. > :59:29.to that country and those destinations. Leeds City Cotncil is

:59:30. > :59:32.consulting on road options to Leeds Bradford Airport. They are hgnoring

:59:33. > :59:43.the option of a rail link. Why is this being done? Connectivity to

:59:44. > :59:46.airports has long been underestimated in transport policy.

:59:47. > :59:52.That certainly applies to Ldeds Bradford. Work is being devdloped to

:59:53. > :59:58.look at improving connectivhty. I would suggest he joined the campaign

:59:59. > :00:05.being run by the honourable member for Pudsey on this issue. I warmly

:00:06. > :00:09.welcome the prospectus offering new rail passengers services in London

:00:10. > :00:14.and the south-east. I wonder if my honourable friend could reassure me

:00:15. > :00:19.that where it says that Crossrail two would allow improved suburban

:00:20. > :00:26.services and new trains to love on to new tracks, there is an plan to

:00:27. > :00:32.try to run this enhanced metro on the present rickety to track system,

:00:33. > :00:36.thereby further delaying tr`ins from out of suburban stations? The

:00:37. > :00:41.document released by the Maxor of London last week was a constltation

:00:42. > :00:44.document and I will take my friend's question as part of that

:00:45. > :00:52.consultation exercise and whll not leave alone the points he m`de. The

:00:53. > :00:55.main platform at a railway station in my constituency is only

:00:56. > :01:02.accessible via steep steps, meaning disabled, the elderly or infirm

:01:03. > :01:07.cannot access it. Will the Linister meet with me or perhaps visht the

:01:08. > :01:14.station to see how we can f`cilitate improvements? I am happy to discuss

:01:15. > :01:17.these issues. Over 400 stathons have significantly benefited frol the

:01:18. > :01:24.investment of the Access for all scheme. Clearly, there is more to

:01:25. > :01:33.do. I am afraid we must movd on Urgent question. Mr Owen Smhth.

:01:34. > :01:36.Thank you. May I ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he

:01:37. > :01:41.will make a statement on thd Court of Appeal ruling that the bddroom

:01:42. > :01:43.tax has caused discrimination contrary to article 14 of the

:01:44. > :01:44.European Convention on Human