HGV Road User Levy Bill

Debate between Andrew Bingham and Michael Connarty

Tuesday 29th January 2013 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Bingham (High Peak) (Con)]

I, too, commend the Minister and the Government for bringing this Bill forward. I fear that it will be lost in the media tomorrow, given the previous business in the Chamber today. However, the wider population would welcome the Bill. When I speak to hauliers across my constituency, I know that they are grateful for the freezing of fuel duty, but this Bill starts levelling the playing field up.

I hear what the hon. Member for Linlithgow and East Falkirk (Michael Connarty) said about hypothecation and Kent, and all the rest of it, but I would make this argument. People might think that the High Peak is a little rural backwater, but believe you me, they probably all walk, sit and drive on the limestone that comes from our area. If we are going to hypothecate, which I do not think we should, I would argue for more money because our roads get so much stick from the wagons that carry that limestone.

[Michael Connarty]

The hon. Gentleman can be assured that I support him on that point, because the roads are in a terrible state throughout the whole country.