Oral Answers to Questions

James Heappey Excerpts

Thursday 17th November 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I never cease to be impressed by the varied life experience of the hon. Member for Wolverhampton South West (Rob Marris).

[James Heappey (Wells) (Con)]

Does the Secretary of State share my concern that the reduced growth deal 3 offer made to the Heart of the South West local enterprise partnership has threatened a number of important road and rail improvement schemes in Somerset? Does he also agree that driving growth through improvement to transport infrastructure should trump the devolution agenda?

[Chris Grayling]

First, it is important that the funding we allocate to different parts of the country delivers real improvement, whether to congestion and connectivity, economic development or housing. I met the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government earlier this week to discuss the issue. No offers have yet been made on funding to LEPs; that will happen shortly.