Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Transport

Oral Answers to Questions

David Nuttall Excerpts
Thursday 10th December 2015

(9 years ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord McLoughlin Portrait Mr McLoughlin
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If a foreign company was to set up in the hon. Gentleman’s constituency, would he be complaining about the jobs it brought? I am very pleased that British companies are winning rail contracts to provide services in Germany. I believe that the marketplace works. The announcements we made yesterday represent a seismic change in the service for both the Northern and TransPennine franchises, which I would have thought he would welcome, as nearly every local government leader in the area has, most of them being Labour.

David Nuttall Portrait Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)
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Will the Minister join me in welcoming the fact that Farnworth tunnel near Bolton, which has been closed for enlargement as part of the electrification programme, will reopen next Monday, allowing for more and longer trains?

Claire Perry Portrait Claire Perry
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Absolutely. As my hon. Friend and others will know, it is very difficult to do that upgrade work without disruption, and I thank people for their patience, but if anyone doubts that this Government are serious about transport investment in the north and the electrification programme, they just need to go and see what happens on Monday morning when those trains start running through the tunnel again.