Oral Answers to Questions

Geraint Davies Excerpts

Wednesday 14th March 2018 Commons Chamber

[Stuart Andrew]

As the hon. Gentleman knows, we have given more moneys to the Welsh Assembly under the new settlement, but I completely recognise that the cross-border activity in north Wales and the north-west of England is incredibly important. That is why I was pleased to meet representatives from the all-party group the other day. We are looking at some of the rail investment that is needed, particularly the Halton curve and the Wrexham-Bidston line.

[Geraint Davies (Swansea West) (Lab/Co-op)]

9. What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on future investment in the railway network in Wales.

[The Secretary of State for Wales (Alun Cairns)]

I hold regular meetings and discussions with the Transport Secretary and his ministerial team to make the case for investment in Wales’s railway infrastructure. I am determined to drive forward improvements to Wales’s rail connectivity for the benefit of our passengers, commuters and businesses.

[Geraint Davies]

I am losing my voice, Mr Speaker. HS2 will cost £56 billion and 20,000 Welsh jobs. For £1 billion, we could build two and a half miles of HS2 or halve the time between Cardiff and Swansea and have an electrified Swansea metro. Why is the Welsh Secretary not objecting to the £1 billion cut from Network Rail to our rail infrastructure and investing in Wales instead?

[Mr Speaker]

The hon. Gentleman has done very well, considering he has lost his voice.