Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Hammond of Runnymede and James Heappey

Tuesday 25th October 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Hammond]

I make three points to the hon. Lady. First, we will have an autumn statement in just over four weeks’ time, and I will be able to set out more of our forward plans at that time. Secondly, I am not sure off the top of my head what the population proportion of the UK is in the north-west and north-east regions, but if the figures that she has quoted are correct, I am not so sure that a quarter of infrastructure investment represents disproportionate underfunding. I would need to check that. Thirdly, the very large investment in Crossrail, a strategically important national project, has had the effect of skewing infrastructure investment towards London over the past few years.

[James Heappey (Wells) (Con)]

15. What assessment he has made of the potential effect of a smart energy system on levels of productivity.