Business of the House

Luke Evans Excerpts

Thursday 11th May 2023 Commons Chamber

[Penny Mordaunt]

The hon. Gentleman will know that this is not a matter for the Leader of the House, but it would be a matter for the party chairman. I would suggest that he raises any concerns he has about the conduct of any individual with the party chairman. He will know that we have a proper process to look at all these matters. I do not think that he has done that. He may wish to do so. That is the best advice I can offer him as Leader of the House of Commons.

[Dr Luke Evans (Bosworth) (Con)]

Tritax Symmetry has formally applied for the Hinckley rail freight interchange and now there is a formal and legal chance for everyone to register their interest and have their say. So I am urging all my constituents and residents, particularly those in Burbage, Barwell, Earl Shilton and Hinckley to do exactly that. I have been working with my hon. Friend the Member for South Leicestershire (Alberto Costa) and neither he nor I have the power to stop this. I know that the process is quasi-judicial so I cannot ask the Leader of the House to comment specifically on that case, but can we have a debate on creating a national strategy for railway freight interchanges to ensure they are joined up in in places such as the midlands, where they can be so problematic?

[Penny Mordaunt]

I thank my hon. Friend for raising this important matter. The national networks national policy statement provides developers with a clear statement of Government policy on the development of strategic rail freight interchanges and that statement is the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Transport. I would be happy to make sure that the Department is aware of my hon. Friend’s focus on the matter and we stand ready to assist him. I thank him for making sure that all the interested parties who wish to have their say are aware of the pre-examination process that is being advertised.