High Speed 2

Debate between Karen Lumley and Geoffrey Robinson

Thursday 13th October 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Robinson]

I just mention in passing that when I was being selected—those few years ago—

[Karen Lumley (Redditch) (Con)]

Will the hon. Gentleman give way?

[Mr Robinson]

I will give way in a moment—no, I will not give way, sorry.

As a prospective Coventry candidate, I was told, “You’ve got to remember one thing, Geoffrey: the only good thing that comes out of Birmingham is the Coventry road”—but I will leave that there.

In all seriousness, with £33 billion of capital expenditure, this is the largest capital project that this country will ever have engaged in. That money could be better spent elsewhere. Dealing with the capacity problems between London and Birmingham and increasing capacity by 47% can be done now. The plans are there; they are shovel ready.