Autumn Statement

Bill Wiggin Excerpts

Wednesday 3rd December 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Osborne]

Of course, we are waiting for it partly because under 13 years of the Labour Government, it never happened. We are looking at improving rail connections to Hull. I was there fairly recently and talked to Lord Haskins, the head of the local enterprise partnership. I go out of my way to say that Hull should be part of the northern powerhouse, and I have talked about the links between Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds and Hull across the east-west link of the north of England. I think there are real opportunities, alongside the flood defence programme in the Humber estuary that we have talked about. The investment in the enterprise zones there and the Siemens investment in Humberside are important. There are lots of great things happening in Hull, and the “Hook up Hull” campaign is yet another example of a great campaign that we are looking to support.

[Bill Wiggin (North Herefordshire) (Con)]

Can the Chancellor explain why he wants to introduce his stamp duty changes at midnight rather than a little further down the road?

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman was here all along. He did not leave the Chamber—or did he?

[Bill Wiggin]

He might have done.

[Mr Speaker]

He might have left the Chamber? In that case, we cannot take his question.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Speaker]

I am glad that the hon. Member for North Herefordshire (Bill Wiggin) has received his answer, but I must say that to toddle out of the Chamber and then beetle back in and expect to take part, in defiance of the conventions of the House, renders the hon. Gentleman a cheeky little boy.

[Bill Wiggin]

There is nothing little about me, Mr Speaker.

[Mr Speaker]

I use the term with some poetic licence, it must be admitted.