Oral Answers to Questions

Paul Sweeney Excerpts

Thursday 19th April 2018 Commons Chamber

[Jesse Norman]

My hon. Friend has been a tireless and energetic campaigner on this issue, as on so many others, and I can assure him that the environmental study will be one of the first items to be completed under the options assessment work.

[Mr Paul Sweeney (Glasgow North East) (Lab/Co-op)]

17. What assessment he has made of the potential merits of extending High Speed 2 to Scotland.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Ms Nusrat Ghani)]

From the day phase 1 opens, HS2 trains will run directly to Scotland, with journey times of less than four hours between London and Glasgow. When the full Y network opens, HS2 will serve both Glasgow and Edinburgh in three hours 40 minutes to London. The Department for Transport is working closely with Transport Scotland and Network Rail to look at further options that might have a good business case, working towards the UK and Scottish Governments’ shared ultimate ambition of a three-hour journey time between London and Scotland.

[Mr Sweeney]

Will the Minister guarantee that, once HS2 is fully constructed, the journey time between Glasgow and Manchester will not be any longer than it is currently?

[Ms Ghani]

We have no reason to expect increases in journey times between Glasgow and Manchester as a result of HS2.

--- Later in debate ---

[Jesse Norman]

My hon. Friend will be aware that the Government have taken a very important forward position by introducing the renewable transport fuel obligation. We are looking closely at E10, and at international precedents and examples as to how enhanced ethanol fuels have been brought into play. It is important to respect market dynamics, so this is a slightly tricky issue, on which we are spending some time and consideration.

[Mr Paul Sweeney (Glasgow North East) (Lab/Co-op)]

T4. There is mounting concern on the Clyde that an active programme is being undertaken by Peel Ports, which owns both the Clydeport authority and the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company, to plough billions of pounds of investment into Merseyside at the expense of the Clyde, stifling investment in the Clyde’s port facilities. Will the Minister undertake an immediate investigation into anti-competitive practices in both of the UK’s two main west coast ports, as this is unacceptable?

[Ms Ghani]

The hon. Gentleman raises an important issue. I am glad he has brought it to my attention and I am more than happy to have a meeting with him to discuss it further.