Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle Upon Tyne, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland Combined Authority Order 2014

Baroness Williams of Trafford Excerpts

Monday 7th April 2014 Grand Committee

Finally, transport is absolutely key for the region. Why do the Government never talk about the north-east as regards HS2? We need HS2 to bring benefits to the north-east. The Government need the votes of north-east MPs, all bar two of whom are Labour. The Government need to engage with us on the future of HS2. I happen to believe in the programme very fundamentally, but in the latest report on HS2 the north-east was not mentioned. I talk to Transport Ministers, including those in the Commons, about this. However, overall transport is a key issue, and I am delighted that the combined authority will seek to pursue a more holistic transport strategy than the ones individual authorities currently have.

[Baroness Williams of Trafford (Con)]

My Lords, I apologise for arriving late for the Minister’s introduction. As one of 10 leaders who worked in the Greater Manchester authorities in the lead-up to the formation of the combined authorities, I welcome the order today.

The backdrop to this is that nearly 30 years ago in Greater Manchester we had something called the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities, which was, if you like, a voluntary combined authority. We worked together because we wanted to. The combined authorities will have a great ability to strengthen leadership, but will not necessarily create it where it is not there. However, it will give a real opportunity for a strategic approach among those combined authorities that have been set up, and that is the first step towards devolution.

I will comment on a couple of things that the noble Baroness, Lady Armstrong, said about transport just before she finished. It is no great surprise or coincidence that Greater Manchester has been allocated to high-speed stations or that it was so successful as regards the Northern Hub. I declare an interest on both those topics. House prices have seen the greatest increase in Manchester, which has been named the second city. I know that some people would like to think that Hebden Bridge is the second city, but it is in fact Manchester. Manchester Town Hall features so much in television dramas on the Houses of Parliament that if the administrative centre is to be moved, it should be moved to Manchester. I thank noble Lords for indulging me.