Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Transport

Oral Answers to Questions

Lord Spellar Excerpts
Thursday 23rd February 2017

(7 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Hayes Portrait Mr Hayes
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Buses are good, walking is good, cycling is good—that was how I got to school.

Lord Spellar Portrait Mr John Spellar (Warley) (Lab)
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The Minister promised new eyes, so will he use them to recognise that there are some 10 million diesel car drivers in the UK. Rather than joining in their demonisation by a hysterical media, will he hold a full and proper inquiry into the pros and cons of diesel, including for buses, trucks and trains, and thereby adopt a proportionate approach to what remedies might be necessary?

John Hayes Portrait Mr Hayes
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I think that the right hon. Gentleman will recognise from my immensely measured remarks earlier that I am not prepared to demonise anyone. I am certainly not prepared to put at risk the wellbeing of people who need to travel to work and school, and to access other opportunities—public services and so forth. Of course we need to be balanced in our approach to this.