Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Johnson of Marylebone and Stephen Hammond

Thursday 18th January 2018 Commons Chamber

[Joseph Johnson]

Passengers are accessing compensation schemes far more easily than ever before. That is reflected in the greater take-up of compensation payments, which is growing at a far faster rate than any delays in services. We continue to work with operators to ensure that this becomes easier for passengers to access and we will be looking carefully at that in the next franchise renewals process.

[Stephen Hammond (Wimbledon) (Con)]

5. What recent assessment he has made of the role of private sector investment in the rail industry.

Bank of England (Appointment of Governor) Bill

Debate between Lord Johnson of Marylebone and Stephen Hammond

Friday 6th July 2012 Commons Chamber

[Stephen Hammond]

That is an interesting and valid point, and one that I had not intended to make myself. I look forward to hearing my hon. Friend’s views in more detail.

[Joseph Johnson (Orpington) (Con)]

Having spoken to my hon. Friend the Member for Chichester (Mr Tyrie), the Chairman of the Treasury Committee, in a private capacity, I think that he would be content for the Committee not to have a statutory veto, but merely to be consulted and to have an advisory role in the Governor’s appointment. I think it important for his private views also to be reflected in the debate.

[Stephen Hammond]

I am grateful for the opportunity to hear the private views of my hon. Friend the Member for Chichester (Mr Tyrie), but as he is not present to justify them, it would be wrong for me to comment on them. I will say, however, that if those are indeed his private views, I am surprised that he supports this Bill. The Committee is already able to attend pre-commencement hearings with appointees to the Monetary Policy Committee and will be able to do the same in future with appointees to the Financial Policy Committee. Obviously that could potentially involve agreement with the Government.

Let me return to the issue of the independence of both the person and the institution of the Governor of the Bank of England from the Treasury Committee.