Rural Broadband and Mobile Coverage

Andrea Leadsom Excerpts

Thursday 19th May 2011 Commons Chamber

[Andrea Leadsom (South Northamptonshire) (Con)]

I agree entirely that superfast broadband would be enormously beneficial to our economy. Does my hon. Friend agree that the £20 billion that we might be spending on high-speed rail will do less to improve the north-south divide than would superfast broadband, which would benefit all parts of our economy?

[Andrew Jones]

That is tempting but difficult territory. I will resist the temptation because I have long campaigned vigorously for better rail connections for my constituency, particularly for better trains to Leeds and York and direct services to and from London. By the way—a small plug—the first direct service to Harrogate from London starts on Monday.