Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Grant Shapps and Virginia Crosbie

Tuesday 4th July 2023 Commons Chamber

[Grant Shapps]

I have discussed this matter with SSE in relation to that particular hydro storage project, and my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State met MSPs yesterday to discuss the subject as well. We are keen to have this kind of hydro storage, which is why our plans allow for it to be taken forward. However, I have to say to Opposition Members—all of them—that it is no good just having one kind of storage or one kind of tidal power; we also need to protect the Scottish economy with oil and gas to make sure we are not subjected to Putin or any other dictator holding us to ransom over our energy security.

[Virginia Crosbie (Ynys Môn) (Con)]

It is good to hear that the Secretary of State is supporting the economy in Scotland, but my question is: how are the UK Government investing in grid capacity in Wales? In Wales, such investment is crucial if we are to support energy transition projects such as the Holyhead hydrogen hub, Minesto, Morlais, BP Mona, Lightsource BP and, of course, new nuclear at Wylfa.

[Grant Shapps]

Grid capacity in Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland is at the top of our list. The Winser review has done a lot of work to look at how we can speed up the delivery of that capacity, given the big transition that is going on and this country’s big lead in renewables, which makes that necessary.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Grant Shapps and Virginia Crosbie

Tuesday 29th November 2022 Commons Chamber

[Virginia Crosbie (Ynys Môn) (Con)]

T7. May I say pob lwc, good luck, to the Wales football team tonight? Can the Secretary of State confirm that, beyond Sizewell C, Great British Nuclear will be empowered to commission and build at not only gigawatt-scale, but small modular reactor-scale, so that my constituents on Ynys Môn can benefit from those new jobs from new nuclear?

[Grant Shapps]

I can confirm that that is the intention with Great British Nuclear. I know that areas such as Wylfa Newydd—if I am pronouncing it correctly—in my hon. Friend’s constituency could well be in line to benefit. However, as she can tell from my Welsh pronunciation, I suspect that I will be on the English side tonight.

P&O Ferries

Debate between Grant Shapps and Virginia Crosbie

Wednesday 30th March 2022 Commons Chamber

[Grant Shapps]

The right hon. Gentleman raises many important points. As he rightly points out, one of the ships has already been detained in Northern Ireland. Stena Line has been doing a great job to fill in some of the gap and I will ask other companies to assist where possible. If he does not mind, I ask him to meet again—I know he has already—with my hon. Friend the maritime Minister, because the specific issues relating to Northern Ireland will need a lot of care and attention over the coming days.

[Virginia Crosbie (Ynys Môn) (Con)]

Although I welcome the new measures that my right hon. Friend has brought to the House, what reassurance can he give that they will support companies such as Stena Line to grow jobs, particularly local jobs and local labour, so that the news is good for UK seafarers and for the UK flag?

[Grant Shapps]

The simple fact is that this package will finally ensure that the whole seafaring community is on a level playing field—or a level sea—when it comes to channel crossings and that there will be no advantage to Irish Ferries running a cut-price route or P&O Ferries trying to do the same. For Stena Line, DFDS and others, it will ensure that they can all operate and compete on a fair platform.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Grant Shapps and Virginia Crosbie

Thursday 17th March 2022 Commons Chamber

[Grant Shapps]

As we said in our manifesto, we will deliver the 4,000 buses during this Parliament, and we are on track to do so. I have just given the hon. Gentleman the up-to-date information on the number already funded. The SNP spokesman makes a big fuss of this, but—I do not think he mentioned this—the Scottish Government missed their own legal emission targets under the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019. They were supposed to reduce the emissions but they missed the targets.

[Virginia Crosbie (Ynys Môn) (Con)]

2. What steps he is taking to improve transport connectivity within the UK.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Grant Shapps and Virginia Crosbie

Thursday 29th April 2021 Commons Chamber

[Grant Shapps]

The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right to point out the importance of those links with our Northern Ireland airports. I made sure that we put public service obligations in place during the height of the crisis last year, and we will always look to do everything we can to make sure that connectivity across our great Union continues to exist.

[Virginia Crosbie (Ynys Môn) (Con)]

Cutting-edge maritime projects such as the Holyhead hydrogen hub and the proposed Anglesey freeport in my constituency will move forward this Government’s renewable agenda. To take full advantage of these opportunities, excellent transport infrastructure is needed across north Wales. Will the Minister confirm that he will support necessary improvements to the A55, as highlighted in Sir Peter Hendy’s Union connectivity review?