Transport Infrastructure Debate

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Department: Department for Transport

Transport Infrastructure

Paul Goggins Excerpts
Tuesday 17th December 2013

(10 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord McLoughlin Portrait Mr McLoughlin
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My hon. Friend is a very big advocate of more infrastructure investment in Reading, where we are currently spending some £880 million on a major refurbishment of Reading station, which will greatly enhance the capabilities for surface access to Reading. However, I note his early applications for even more investment in his area.

Paul Goggins Portrait Paul Goggins (Wythenshawe and Sale East) (Lab)
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One issue that merits greater consideration than the half page given by the commission is the proposal for a temporary exemption from air passenger duty for new long-haul routes from airports outside London. Such an exemption would help airports such as Manchester to develop new routes to China. Will the Secretary of State make sure that this idea stays on the table?

Lord McLoughlin Portrait Mr McLoughlin
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The right hon. Gentleman, by his mentioning the proposal, has just done exactly that.