All 1 Debates between Mike Thornton and Robert Flello

High Speed Rail (Preparation) Bill

Debate between Mike Thornton and Robert Flello
Thursday 31st October 2013

(11 years ago)

Commons Chamber
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Mike Thornton Portrait Mike Thornton
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Perhaps I should limit the number of interventions I take.

Robert Flello Portrait Robert Flello
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You could at least take one from this side!

Mike Thornton Portrait Mike Thornton
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I will take one more brief intervention.

Robert Flello Portrait Robert Flello
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I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his generosity. Is he able to answer the question I asked the hon. Member for Na h-Eileanan an Iar (Mr MacNeil) from the SNP? How will the people of Stoke-on-Trent benefit from a worsened service? They will have to spend an hour travelling to hook up to a line that will only be as good as the current one, and they will have to go from using 30 trains to three. How is that an improvement?

Mike Thornton Portrait Mike Thornton
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I am afraid it is beyond my capacity to decide what trains the relevant train company will run, but I doubt we can predict exactly what the train times will be in 10, 15, 20 or 30 years’ time.

Members will be glad to hear that I have nearly finished. The Liberal Democrats know that a modern, high-speed, national rail network is vital to the future of this country. Consequently, I fully support the Bill and amendment 17.