Rural Phone and Broadband Connectivity

Lindsay Hoyle Excerpts

Tuesday 3rd February 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mr Vaizey]

I would be happy to offer my hon. Friend a glass of water for his cough, but we are out of water. I see that the military prowess of my hon. Friend the Member for Penrith and The Border (Rory Stewart) has kicked in—he is bringing a glass of water.

As you well know, Mr Deputy Speaker, I was up in your constituency just this week, and a beautiful part of the country it is.

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle)]

Last week.

[Mr Vaizey]

I am sorry—last week. The weeks tend to blend into one. Some £50 million, 98% coverage in Lancashire, and 150,000 premises—that has to be something to shout about, and I know that my hon. Friend the Member for Lancaster and Fleetwood (Eric Ollerenshaw) will do so once he has had a drink of water.

--- Later in debate ---

[Several hon. Members]

rose—

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle)]

Order. At least three Back-Bench Members still wish to speak, so I am reducing the time limit to five minutes from now.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Vaizey]

I must accept that kind invitation, especially since my right hon. Friend has just promoted me to the Privy Council,

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle)]

I am sorry that we have lost a minute because we may lose another speaker. I am sure that could have waited.

[Alistair Burt]

If the Minister would kindly meet a group that represents not only the older rural areas that are trying to be connected, but representatives from the newer areas, I am sure he will understand our problems, including those in Dunton, which thought it was on the list and has now been bumped off. I am very grateful for the time of the House and to my hon. Friend the Minister, who should be my right hon. Friend very soon.

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[Chris Bryant]

I will not give way if the hon. Gentleman does not mind, because we want to get on to—

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle)]

The hon. Gentleman has only just walked in.

[Chris Bryant]

To be fair, the hon. Gentleman did speak earlier.

[Mr Deputy Speaker]

Just for clarification, normally you do not walk in and intervene, no matter if you have spoken earlier. The convention is you at least hear a little bit of the new debate.

[Chris Bryant]

On the Government’s record, I think what everybody has said today is that we have to take the whole country with us. That means 100%, not 93% or 95%. I merely point out to hon. Members that the original target was 2 megabits a second by 2012. That was abandoned by this Government, who moved the target to 2015. Now, the target has been moved to 2016. I suggest that that means we want lots of people to be able to run before some people are even able to walk in the digital economy, and I think that that is a mistake.

The superfast target of 24 megabits a second has also been changed. It was 90% by 2015. Then, when the Government worked out that that simply was not going to happen, for all the reasons hon. Members have set out today, they moved it to 95% by 2016.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Vaizey]

Give way!

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle)]

Order. Look, this debate is not going to degenerate now. If the Minister can control himself, he will be on shortly, and if Back Benchers want to intervene, will they please do it in the correct manner?

[Julian Smith]

rose—