HGV Road User Levy Bill (Ways and Means)

Debate between Huw Irranca-Davies and Kwasi Kwarteng

Tuesday 23rd October 2012 Commons Chamber

[Huw Irranca-Davies]

The hon. Lady makes a good point. It is not a case of us being winners. I think the hon. Member for Spelthorne slightly misspoke earlier when he talked about putting protection in place. As the hon. Lady says, it is not to do with protection for us, but with creating a level playing field. I am sure the hon. Gentleman did not intend to suggest that we want fortress mechanisms; it is about getting a level playing field.

[Kwasi Kwarteng]

As an attentive observer of and participant in our debates, the hon. Gentleman will appreciate that in my speech I suggested that foreign operators should contribute to their use of the roads. That is the best argument in favour of the legislation.