High Speed Rail (London - West Midlands) Bill (Third sitting)

Debate between Andy McDonald and Ben Howlett

Thursday 3rd March 2016 Public Bill Committees

[Andy McDonald]

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for making that point. It is absolutely imperative that we learn lessons from previous experiences, and that is what the amendment is intended to address. We do not want to keep repeating these errors and finding the taxpayer short-changed. Certainly, when there is something so prestigious and ambitious and it has widespread support, we do not want its reputation tarnished in any way. We want it to be sustained.

[Ben Howlett (Bath) (Con)]

The hon. Member for Blaydon just raised the issue of land prices. Obviously, land prices are increasing. Even if it meant more money would be raised for UK taxpayers, would the hon. Member for Middlesbrough still disagree with the clause?