M5 Motorway Accident

Debate between Justine Greening and Chris Kelly

Monday 7th November 2011 Commons Chamber

[Justine Greening]

My hon. Friend is right on two counts. First, we have a Minister with responsibility for roads who is perhaps uniquely placed to bring his insights to bear in dealing with such incidents. His visit to the site the day after the accident was vital in giving us the assurance that the necessary steps were being taken. In relation to the fire, there is no doubt that the police will look into not just the precise circumstances that led to the collision, but why things unfolded as they did. As I have said, HGV fuel tank standards will be toughened and get progressively better over the next three years. That is obviously good news, and appropriate, and if there are further lessons to be learned, they will be.

[Chris Kelly (Dudley South) (Con)]

May I join in the expressions of condolence? What is the scope for increasing the number of miles of lit motorway in this country?

[Justine Greening]

Again, there is a danger of jumping to what the solutions could be following the police investigation. Suffice it to say, however, that I am of course open-minded about taking any steps that we think can improve road safety and ensure that we maintain—indeed, improve—our road safety record.

Localism Bill (Money) (No. 2)

Queen’s Recommendation signified.

Resolved,

That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Localism Bill, it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of any expenditure incurred by a Minister of the Crown under the Act.—(Jeremy Wright.)

LOCALISM BILL (PROGRAMME) (No. 3)

Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83A(7)),

That the following provisions shall apply to the Localism Bill for the purpose of supplementing the Orders of 17 January 2011 (Localism Bill (Programme)) and 17 May 2011 (Localism Bill (Programme) (No. 2)):

Consideration of Lords Amendments

1. Proceedings on consideration of Lords Amendments shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at 10.00 pm at this day’s sitting.

Subsequent stages

2. Any further Message from the Lords may be considered forthwith without any Question being put.

3. The proceedings on any further Message from the Lords shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour after their commencement.—(Jeremy Wright.)

Question agreed to.