Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Barry Sheerman and Stephen Hammond

Thursday 10th July 2014 Commons Chamber

[Stephen Hammond]

It is only fair for me to recognise the extraordinary efforts of my hon. Friend in ensuring that high-speed rail comes to Deal. I also recognise the extraordinary efforts of my hon. Friend the Member for Hastings and Rye (Amber Rudd), who is making the same case. HS2 will make an important contribution to securing prosperity across the country. It will generate jobs and rebalance the economy, and our estimates suggest that there will be more than £70 billion of benefits, including £53 billion of benefits to business.

[Mr Sheerman]

That’s £80 billion of wasted taxpayers’ money.