High Speed Rail (Preparation) Bill Debate

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Department: Department for Transport

High Speed Rail (Preparation) Bill

Lindsay Hoyle Excerpts
Wednesday 26th June 2013

(11 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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None Portrait Several hon. Members
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rose

Lindsay Hoyle Portrait Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle)
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Order. Interventions have taken up a lot of time, so I am having to reduce the time limit to five minutes, and might have to reduce it again to get everyone in—[Interruption.] If you want to moan, please do so, Mr Gummer. The point is that everyone wants to speak. If you are suggesting that I knock somebody off the list, please tell me.

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Martin Vickers Portrait Martin Vickers
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No. Sorry, he looked, er—[Hon. Members: “Keep going!”] I’ll keep going, right. I think what he, er—I’ve lost my track now, I should say.

Lindsay Hoyle Portrait Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle)
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You’ve lost your train of thought.

Martin Vickers Portrait Martin Vickers
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Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I will try to get back on line.

I am very supportive of where the Government are going with this. I was talking about rebalancing the economy. The economy of my own area in northern Lincolnshire is highly dependent on rail. We talked about the importance of freight earlier. Some 25% of freight tonnage moved throughout the country starts or ends in my constituency at Immingham, so I hope that the increased capacity will provide greater opportunities not only for passengers, but for freight. I therefore support the Government and, sadly, will oppose the amendment.