Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord McLoughlin and Brian H. Donohoe

Thursday 20th March 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr McLoughlin]

It has been a considerable time since I last visited Lowestoft, but following my hon. Friend’s invitation I shall certainly do so. Ministerial colleagues, including the Prime Minister, have visited. My hon. Friend’s points are well made, and they have been made to me by other colleagues.

[Mr Brian H. Donohoe (Central Ayrshire) (Lab)]

Congestion would be much improved if the potholes in the roads were removed. Although I welcome the money that was made available yesterday, how will it be distributed? How much of it is coming to Scotland?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord McLoughlin and Brian H. Donohoe

Thursday 6th February 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr McLoughlin]

I am pleased about the awarding of the UTC in my hon. Friend’s area, and he doubtless campaigned for it vigorously. I know that he will continue the campaign to get the HS2 skills college. I have had a number of requests from various hon. Members as to where this college should be located.

[Mr Brian H. Donohoe (Central Ayrshire) (Lab)]

As an ex-apprentice, I am very passionate about the idea of creating more apprenticeships, and this project presents an ideal opportunity. Labour is committed to creating one apprenticeship for every £1 million spent. Will the Government do likewise?

[Mr McLoughlin]

What is important is the way in which we have massively increased the number of apprenticeships. Part of today’s announcement about Bombardier means that there will be an increase in apprenticeships in that area, and I am looking at every possible avenue to encourage apprenticeships.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord McLoughlin and Brian H. Donohoe

Thursday 18th October 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Brian H. Donohoe (Central Ayrshire) (Lab)]

To return to the subject of the west coast main line, when the Secretary of State made a statement on Monday, I made him aware of a figure given to me by insiders in the industry that suggested a cost of at least half a billion pounds as a result of this debacle. Has any application to the Treasury for additional contingency funding been made as a result?

[Mr McLoughlin]

No.

West Coast Main Line

Debate between Lord McLoughlin and Brian H. Donohoe

Monday 15th October 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr McLoughlin]

I would say that the position in which we find ourselves is not the position I would have wanted to be in. What I am trying to do is to move forward with some certainty so that when we learn the lessons from the Brown review, they can be implemented and acted on. There is considerable interest in this particular line—it is very important—and I think we will see the sort of developments we want, with companies putting forward proposals, with respect to both the two-year contract that we are proposing to let and the longer-term one in due course.

[Mr Brian H. Donohoe (Central Ayrshire) (Lab)]

I welcome the Secretary of State to his position. I listened intently to what he said in his statement, but he made no mention of any contingency funding that will need to be put in place as a result of this debacle. Is it proper to suggest that it is possible for this amount to be as much as half a billion pounds—half a billion pounds that taxpayers will have to pay?

[Mr McLoughlin]

I have read many figures, but I have not previously read that one. No doubt I am going to read a lot more in due course. I have already said that the estimated cost of refunding the franchises, which is the right thing to do, will be in the region of £40 million.