All 3 Debates between Michael Fabricant and Andrew Jones

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Fabricant and Andrew Jones
Thursday 10th January 2019

(5 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Andrew Jones Portrait Andrew Jones
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I recognise entirely the crowding issues that the hon. Gentleman describes and has experienced personally, and which I have also experienced personally, so we are certainly looking to add capacity in the next franchise. We are also looking to add capacity before that franchise comes into force, if we can find it.

Michael Fabricant Portrait Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)
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Like Sheffield, we do not get much salt water in the west midlands, but West Midlands Railway is now purchasing over £1 billion- worth of new rolling stock. Could not the Minister use that model with the CrossCountry franchise?

Andrew Jones Portrait Andrew Jones
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I am aware of the new rolling stock that is coming in to the west midlands; indeed, it is coming in across many parts of our network. We have a fantastic story on rolling stock coming in over the next two years. I will look at what my hon. Friend says and get back to him with an answer.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Fabricant and Andrew Jones
Thursday 15th September 2016

(8 years, 3 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Andrew Jones Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Andrew Jones)
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It is simply because the Government are giving more powers to local authorities to franchise services, and we were anxious that the powers to commission and provide were separated.

Michael Fabricant Portrait Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)
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T4. Two out of three platforms at Lichfield Trent Valley railway station, which is on the west coast main line, are completely inaccessible to disabled people. First there was a plan to make them accessible; then we were told it was delayed. People in Lichfield—and, in particular, the Member of Parliament for Lichfield—are getting rather irritated about this. What is happening?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Michael Fabricant and Andrew Jones
Thursday 10th December 2015

(9 years ago)

Commons Chamber
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Michael Fabricant Portrait Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con)
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While recognising that there is always a need for safety, will the Minister and his Department consider whether HGV licences are needed for certain types of vehicle? Given that there is now so much automation on some of the larger vehicles, does someone really need an HGV licence to drive them?

Andrew Jones Portrait Andrew Jones
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That is a very interesting question. I have driven one of the new high-tech HGVs; obviously, without a licence, so it was on a testing track, not the highway network. I was struck by how helpful the vehicle is—it includes large numbers of automated systems —but also by the amount of information that comes at the driver. I do not think we should compromise on safety, and I suspect that the current regime is just right.