Clive Betts
Main Page: Clive Betts (Labour - Sheffield South East)Department Debates - View all Clive Betts's debates with the Department for Transport
Road Networks (Harlow)
Clive Betts Excerpts(14 years, 5 months ago)
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Mr Clive Betts (in the Chair)
Order. Has the hon. Gentleman cleared it with the Member introducing the debate and the Minister that he wants to speak?
Brandon Lewis
I must admit that I have not cleared it with the Minister, but I spoke earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Harlow (Robert Halfon). I am at your mercy, Mr Betts.
Brandon Lewis
Thank you, Mr Betts, I appreciate that. I will ensure that in future I speak to the Minister as well.
Mr Clive Betts (in the Chair)
I appreciate that the hon. Member is new to the House, so that is fine.
Brandon Lewis
I simply want to support my hon. Friend’s statement. I represent Great Yarmouth, and although the M11 is not there, or in Norfolk, it is the closest motorway to my constituency. It is a vital part of the artery joining the A11 and the A47 that runs through to our outer harbour and to Norwich airport, so it is hugely important to the economic development and growth of Great Yarmouth, which has pockets of high deprivation. Anything that we can do to alleviate the traffic problems along that artery, which this junction could—and clearly will—do, is of benefit to Great Yarmouth. Does my hon. Friend agree that that is important for Harlow, but also for the wider business community throughout East Anglia and the eastern region?
Mr Clive Betts (in the Chair)
In terms of procedure, normally the hon. Member initiating the debate would speak, then the Minister would respond. The hon. Member would not come back. It would have helped if the hon. Member for Great Yarmouth (Brandon Lewis) had intervened beforehand, but I will allow a brief response.