High Speed Rail Debate

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Department: Department for Transport

High Speed Rail

Huw Irranca-Davies Excerpts
Monday 28th January 2013

(11 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord McLoughlin Portrait Mr McLoughlin
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I am more than happy for the hon. Gentleman to meet the Minister of State, and I will do all I can to facilitate such a meeting.

Huw Irranca-Davies Portrait Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore) (Lab)
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The Secretary of State will be pleased that I am not asking for a re-routing via Bridgend or Aberystwyth—yet!—but what I would ask, echoing the sentiments of my hon. Friend the Member for Hayes and Harlington (John McDonnell), is whether he will consider bringing forward the Heathrow spur, which would bring a direct, long-term economic advantage to south Wales, Bristol and Avon.

Lord McLoughlin Portrait Mr McLoughlin
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I think the hon. Gentleman is referring to the great western spur, which is in the outline of the plans we have talked about for 2014 to 2019. As somebody who had a daughter who went to Aberystwyth university, I think that what he refers to would create some challenges for us.