Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Hammond of Runnymede and Grahame Morris

Tuesday 3rd March 2015 Commons Chamber

[Grahame M. Morris (Easington) (Lab)]

T7. We know that 163 Palestinian children are being held in Israeli military detention, and that many are being held inside Israel in direct violation of the fourth Geneva convention. What representations is the Secretary of State making to the Israeli authorities with a view to ending that brutal aspect of the illegal occupation?

[Mr Philip Hammond]

We routinely make representations to the Israelis on all aspects of illegal conduct—of which that is just one example—and we will continue to do so.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Hammond of Runnymede and Grahame Morris

Thursday 5th May 2011 Commons Chamber

[Grahame M. Morris (Easington) (Lab)]

Will the Secretary of State commit, as the previous Labour Government did, to legislate for a high-speed rail line all the way to the north, and in so doing convince the sceptics that the Government have a credible economic policy that would benefit all the regions?

[Mr Philip Hammond]

As I have said many times at the Dispatch Box, the Government’s programme is for a Y-shaped network that will take the high-speed railway all the way to Manchester and Leeds. I am aware of the scepticism among some Members and others outside the House about our commitment to that programme. I have discussed this matter with Members of all parties interested in securing this programme, and I have given a commitment to find a way of getting into the first hybrid Bill a commitment to the Y-shaped network sufficient to reassure those Members. However, it simply is not practical from a parliamentary point of view to have a single hybrid Bill dealing with the whole line, so it will have to be done as two hybrid Bills. We will ensure that the first Bill contains a commitment sufficient to satisfy the hon. Gentleman and his hon. Friends.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Hammond of Runnymede and Grahame Morris

Thursday 27th January 2011 Commons Chamber

[Grahame M. Morris (Easington) (Lab)]

What assessment has been made of increasing fuel prices and the rising costs of motoring in rural areas, particularly for lower-income households?

[Mr Hammond]

No specific assessment has been made by my Department, but I can tell the hon. Gentleman that independent assessments suggest that between 1997 and 2010 the real cost of motoring has declined by 7%.