Railways: Swansea to Paddington

Lord Anderson of Swansea Excerpts

Wednesday 22nd July 2015 Lords Chamber

[Lord Wigley (PC)]

My Lords—

[Lord Anderson of Swansea (Lab)]

My Lords—

[Lord Richard (Lab)]

My Lords—

[Lord Richard]

My Lords—

[Lord Anderson of Swansea]

My Lords—

[Lord Richard]

The Minister said in his initial Answer that Sir Peter Hendy would look into, among other things, the “affordability” of the project. If funding is not an issue, what on earth is he going to look into?

--- Later in debate ---

[Lord Teverson (LD)]

My Lords, it reminds me of aircraft carriers not having aeroplanes—

[Lord Anderson of Swansea]

My Lords—

[Noble Lords]

This side!

--- Later in debate ---

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach]

Would the noble Lord mind sitting down, please? I think that we should hear from the noble Lord, Lord Anderson of Swansea, as the Question refers to Swansea.

[Lord Anderson of Swansea]

My Lords, as perhaps the only Swansea resident in the House, might I say that, whatever the priorities of the Government—and we are well aware of the pressure of the 40% cut in public expenditure—for us in Swansea this is a major matter? It is part of a trio of developments, including the lagoon and the new university campus. I therefore assure the Minister that this project is not only important for Swansea and the region but will send a signal to businessmen that there is life beyond Cardiff.

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon]

There is—I agree with the noble Lord. That is why the Prime Minister said on 24 June that he was committed to the electrification of the line to Swansea.