HS2 and CH2M

Debate between Lord Foulkes of Cumnock and Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

Wednesday 5th April 2017 Lords Chamber

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon]

I am sure that the noble Lord raises that question as he is aware of other bidders. Again, I am sure he will respect the confidentiality of the allocation and award of the DP contract, which has still to be made. As I said, I will take back the questions of the noble Lord, Lord Rosser, and ensure that other noble Lords who are interested are accorded a reply.

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab)]

My Lords, is it right that the business case for HS2 was based on it being extended to Scotland? When is that going to happen?

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon]

As the noble Lord is aware, Scotland will benefit. Indeed, the first phase and phases 2a and 2b will be of net benefit, so I can assure him that when he travels from London to Scotland he will arrive in good time; indeed, quickly.

Railways: Fares

Debate between Lord Foulkes of Cumnock and Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

Tuesday 31st January 2017 Lords Chamber

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon]

Again, what the Government have done was made clear in the run-up to and during campaigning in the last general election: that what rail users need when it comes to fares policy is certainty. That is why we gave a commitment to have RPI plus 0%, and we are staying true to that pledge.

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab)]

Has the Minister noticed that the Scottish Government are doing exactly the same as the United Kingdom Government on rail fare increases, proving yet again beyond peradventure that they are still Tartan Tories?

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon]

The noble Lord always brings a particular viewpoint to our debates here and he has done so again. It is a matter for the Scottish National Party to determine its ideology. However, if it is being won over by the positive agenda of the Conservative Government then I welcome that.

Aviation: International Trade

Debate between Lord Foulkes of Cumnock and Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

Tuesday 1st November 2016 Lords Chamber

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon]

I look forward to answering those Questions from my noble friend.

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab)]

Does the Minister not think that it would be wise to await the judgment of the Supreme Court before assuming that Brexit will go ahead?

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon]

We as a Government are relying on what the people of this country decided. We promised that there would be a referendum. The British people voted and it is now our job, as a responsible Government, to respect the will of the people, as both Houses should do, and make sure that that decision is implemented.

Airports: Expansion

Debate between Lord Foulkes of Cumnock and Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

Thursday 4th February 2016 Lords Chamber

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon]

I can assure the noble Baroness—I speak for all my noble friends on the Front Bench and beyond—that we always seek to give answers faithfully from this Dispatch Box.

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab)]

Will the Minister confirm that airports policy is now being co-ordinated by Sir John Chilcot?

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon]

That may be the noble Lord’s view; it is certainly not mine.

HS2

Debate between Lord Foulkes of Cumnock and Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

Thursday 22nd October 2015 Lords Chamber

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon]

I do agree with the noble Lord, although I am a bit perturbed by his suggestion that I was around in the 1830s—perhaps he is suggesting I have aged at the Dispatch Box. Nevertheless, there is a valid case to be made here. The primary case for HS2 is establishing links throughout the whole country but it is also important, as the noble Lord said, to address the capacity challenges we currently face on our rail network.

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab)]

Does the Minister agree that the real economic case for HS2 depends on its extension to Edinburgh and Glasgow? Since there are no objections to it in the north of England and Scotland, would it not be sensible to start building now, as quickly as possible, in the north of England and Scotland? That would also provide a market for British steel.

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon]

I commend the noble Lord—he is a great champion for Scotland and for the United Kingdom. The investment we are making in our rail network across the board, not just in HS2, underlines our commitment to ensuring that the whole country is connected. As the noble Lord will be aware, we have laid plans: we are moving forward with the first stage of HS2 in 2017, and great investment is being made in transport for the north and connectivity across Scotland. He makes a very valid point about connectivity across the country, and it is certainly a principle that I support.

Airports Commission

Debate between Lord Foulkes of Cumnock and Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

Monday 7th September 2015 Lords Chamber

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon]

There is no dithering. Let us be quite clear here: it was the previous Government under the current Prime Minister, the same Prime Minister, who commissioned the report. The report was commissioned in 2012. The findings were received—very detailed analysis I am sure the noble Lord recognises—and there were 70,000 responses contained within the commission’s report. Therefore, it is quite right that a considered opinion is given to the commission’s recommendations, and that decision will be made not in due course, as I say again, but as the Prime Minister—the head of the Government—has made clear, by the end of this year, that is 2015.

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab)]

My Lords, I wonder if the Minister would make an educated guess—

Severn Bridge: Tolls

Debate between Lord Foulkes of Cumnock and Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

Wednesday 24th June 2015 Lords Chamber

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon]

I am always grateful for my noble friend’s interventions.

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab)]

Is the Minister aware that in Scotland, all parties agreed to the abolition of the tolls? There have been no adverse effects and it has all been beneficial. If it is good enough for Scotland, why is it not good enough for Wales?

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon]

Crossings in Scotland are a devolved matter, as the noble Lord is aware.