High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) Bill

Debate between Liam Byrne and Lord McLoughlin

Monday 28th April 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr McLoughlin]

I will come on to compensation in a little while, but I am slightly constrained in what I can say because the issue is being consulted on.

[Mr Liam Byrne (Birmingham, Hodge Hill) (Lab)]

I am glad that the Secretary of State wants to keep an open mind about getting the final designs right. High Speed 2 will be of huge benefit to the city of Birmingham, but we must not leave east Birmingham behind. The current proposal to destroy a space the size of 105 football pitches, where we have plans to create 7,000 jobs in the worst unemployment hot spot in the whole United Kingdom, is not a good idea. Birmingham city council will oppose the proposal during the petitioning stage. Will the Secretary of State keep his mind open to the idea that there could be a better site for the rolling yard that would not destroy east Birmingham’s economic future?

[Mr McLoughlin]

I am sure that the right hon. Gentleman, and indeed Birmingham city council, is very supportive of the overall scheme. Of course we will want to make those presentations to the Select Committee during the passage of the Bill. That site was looked at very carefully when we considered those that were available, because a new railway line requires areas where trains can be serviced. A number of people can argue about whether we have the right sites or the wrong ones, and of course that will be taken into consideration.

Of course I understand the depth of concern that the line has caused in some places, which is why I have made it clear to my officials that there is no place in the Department or in HS2 for talk of luddites or nimbys. We must respect people and try to meet their concerns.

Finance Bill

Debate between Liam Byrne and Lord McLoughlin

Tuesday 6th July 2010 Commons Chamber

[The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Mr Patrick McLoughlin)]

claimed to move the closure (Standing Order No. 36), but the Deputy Speaker withheld his assent and declined to put that Question

[Mr Byrne]

On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. May I ask for your guidance under Standing Order No. 15(1)(a), which says that the proceedings on any stage of a

“bill brought in upon a ways and means resolution”

including the Finance Bill, are exempt from interruption and may be proceeded with until “any hour though opposed”.

[Mr McLoughlin]

rose—