Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mike Kane and Lord McLoughlin

Thursday 8th May 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr McLoughlin]

A number of people are making bids and the hon. Lady is but one of them. She is absolutely right about the importance of Curzon street in this project, which I think will be of great benefit to Birmingham. I look forward to discussing these proposals further with Sir Albert Bore, who is leader of Birmingham city council.

[Mike Kane (Wythenshawe and Sale East) (Lab)]

HS2 is obviously critical to my constituency’s development and also to the national interest. As the newest Member in this place—just—may I ask the Secretary of State to explain to me, in order to assist my development, where the Prime Minister and his AWOL colleagues were for those vital votes in the House last week?

[Mr McLoughlin]

Once the hon. Gentleman is in the House—it does not matter how long he has been here—he has the equal authority of any other Member. He is trying to play on the fact that he is the newest Member of the House, but he is treated the same way as any other Member as regards questions. He did remind me that the proposed route for HS2 would go directly under his house, so he does have a direct interest. There has never been any doubt about the Prime Minister’s commitment to this project. Indeed, his name is on the Bill. The only person who had doubts about the project was the shadow Chancellor, and I was very glad to see that he voted for the Bill last week.

High-speed Rail

Debate between Mike Kane and Lord McLoughlin

Monday 24th March 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr McLoughlin]

My hon. Friend raises one of the many issues that need to be considered and resolved, but Old Oak Common is likely to become a major new transport focus for future generations, and will have an important role to play. Getting the maximum development in that area will also be very important.

[Mike Kane (Wythenshawe and Sale East) (Lab)]

I thank the Secretary of State for his statement and declare my interest, in that HS2 phase 2 will go directly under my house. Will he confirm the future journey times from Euston to Manchester airport in my constituency, now that phase 1 has been extended to Crewe?

[Mr McLoughlin]

I welcome the hon. Gentleman to the House. I am delighted to see him in his place, but I wish that his predecessor was still there—as I am sure we all do. He was a big supporter of HS2 and believed that it would bring tremendous benefits to his city of Manchester—I agree.

If we build to Crewe, as suggested by Sir David Higgins, it will result in immediate time improvements for Manchester, but I know that what people want to see is the connection to Manchester airport as well as to the city itself.