Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Transport

Oral Answers to Questions

Paul Howell Excerpts
Thursday 14th December 2023

(1 year ago)

Commons Chamber
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Huw Merriman Portrait Huw Merriman
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The Prime Minister’s Network North announcement gave that commitment on the Ivanhoe line down to Leicester. We are fully committed to that. I know that I am due to be meeting the hon. Member on another matter, so I will give him more of an update then.

Paul Howell Portrait Paul Howell (Sedgefield) (Con)
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Like many, I welcomed what was going on with Network North, particularly the announcement of Ferryhill Station. When it comes to the final assessment and decisions, we need to ensure that the right question is asked, as the Green Book says. The right question is: what is the socioeconomic benefit to the towns and villages around the station, not to the GDP of the UK? May I ask for that assurance please?

Huw Merriman Portrait Huw Merriman
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That was another commitment that the Prime Minister made in the Network North announcement. My hon. Friend has campaigned for Ferryhill Station for so long, and I thank him for bringing it forward. The business case will look at the socioeconomic conditions that he mentions, and I am confident that we will be able to get spades in the ground for his station very shortly.