Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jesse Norman and Tom Pursglove

Thursday 2nd May 2019 Commons Chamber

[Jesse Norman]

I can certainly confirm that the project originated in the coalition Government, and it would be quite disingenuous of any political party that was part of it to seek to distance itself from that decision. Of course, I can make no statement whatever about the direction, since that is the subject of a continued process of consultation and review.

[Tom Pursglove (Corby) (Con)]

I join my hon. Friend the Member for Wellingborough (Mr Bone) in thanking the excellent Secretary of State for getting the Leyland bridge issue sorted out. My constituents in Irthlingborough are delighted that the bridge will be rebuilt, but will he join us in keeping the pressure up, to ensure that it is done as quickly as possible? The inconvenience is unacceptable, and that would be very much appreciated.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jesse Norman and Tom Pursglove

Thursday 11th October 2018 Commons Chamber

[Tom Pursglove (Corby) (Con)]

Will the Minister undertake to give Highways England a nudge to carry out the environmental study required for the A45 dualling works between Stanwick and Thrapston so that they can go ahead in the next road period?

[Jesse Norman]

I do not need to, because my hon. Friend has done a splendid job in the House himself.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jesse Norman and Tom Pursglove

Thursday 5th July 2018 Commons Chamber

[Tom Pursglove (Corby) (Con)]

T4. As I have said to Ministers previously, urgent repair works are required on the North bridge at Oundle to avoid a weight limit being introduced that would badly affect those who use the bus services, businesses, and the community more generally. What Government support is available to get such work done urgently, particularly in exceptional financial circumstances such as those currently faced by Northamptonshire?

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Jesse Norman)]

My hon. Friend has been a tireless campaigner on this issue, and I absolutely recognise his point. This is, in law, a matter for local government. We have provided them with some funding, and I would be delighted to have a further conversation with my hon. Friend about other ways in which we could consider the situation.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jesse Norman and Tom Pursglove

Thursday 24th May 2018 Commons Chamber

[Jesse Norman]

The purpose is to allow him to be held locally accountable by the people who elected him.

[Tom Pursglove (Corby) (Con)]

The proposal to put a weight limit on the North bridge in Oundle is causing great concern, not only to residents but to businesses and bus service users. I have written to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State about the matter. Will he undertake to see what can be done to make sure that the repairs are carried out as soon as possible?

[Jesse Norman]

As my hon. Friend will know, the North bridge in Oundle falls under the responsibility of Northamptonshire County Council as the highway authority. Since 2015-16, the Department has provided the council with £72 million of local highways maintenance finance, including £12 million this year. That can be used to help to strengthen bridges. It is entirely for the council to determine how that funding is deployed.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jesse Norman and Tom Pursglove

Thursday 19th April 2018 Commons Chamber

[Jesse Norman]

There is no evidence—certainly none that we are aware of or that has been brought to our attention—to suggest that requiring independent medical evidence in relation to a driver’s health or eyesight would lead to an improvement in road safety. The current process is balanced and proportionate, and focuses resources on drivers who need medical investigation. Those drivers—in fact, all drivers—are legally obliged to notify the DVLA if they develop a medical condition that could affect their ability to drive safely. Where a driver has failed to do so, the DVLA will investigate notifications from concerned friends, relatives, the police or medical professionals.

[Tom Pursglove (Corby) (Con)]

16. What steps his Department has taken to conduct an environmental study of the dualling of the A45 between Stanwick and Thrapston.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Jesse Norman)]

The road investment strategy announced the Government’s intention to develop a scheme to upgrade the A45 between Stanwick and Thrapston to a full dual carriageway. The scheme is at an early stage of development and a preliminary environmental study will be carried out as part of this development work.

[Tom Pursglove]

This dualling is something that I have campaigned particularly hard for. It has the overwhelming support of local people and would do much to improve the strategically important link between the A14 and the M1. The environmental study is key to progress, so will the Minister join me in pushing for that work to be carried out as soon as possible?

[Jesse Norman]

My hon. Friend has been a tireless and energetic campaigner on this issue, as on so many others, and I can assure him that the environmental study will be one of the first items to be completed under the options assessment work.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jesse Norman and Tom Pursglove

Tuesday 31st January 2017 Commons Chamber

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Jesse Norman)]

I met the unions last week, and we had some constructive, although undoubtedly robust, conversations. The discussion continues and we hope it will end constructively.

[Tom Pursglove (Corby) (Con)]

T4. What discussions has my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State had with representatives of industry, particularly the steel industry, about the UK’s leaving the European Union?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jesse Norman and Tom Pursglove

Tuesday 13th December 2016 Commons Chamber

[Jesse Norman]

It is a tempting invitation to offer a running commentary on our exit arrangements, but since we are not going to do that as a Government, I will not do so now.

[Tom Pursglove (Corby) (Con)]

Last week’s news from Port Talbot was hugely welcomed in steel towns such as Corby. It came about because of constructive work not only in the House, but involving Ministers, the unions, the workforce and the industry. As we move towards reaching final agreement, what role does my hon. Friend see the industry playing in the industrial strategy, and what discussions has he had on that in the EU context?

[Jesse Norman]

That is more a matter for my colleague, my hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge.