Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Transport

Oral Answers to Questions

Peter Bone Excerpts
Thursday 12th September 2013

(11 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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Stephen Hammond Portrait Stephen Hammond
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The announced study will focus on the route-based solutions that will unlock the potential for local transport innovation and for economic and housing improvements. I thank my hon. Friend for his support for the Government’s investment, and I am sure that the visit next week will be successful.

Peter Bone Portrait Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con)
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Does the Minister agree that improvements to A roads that are minor in cost terms can have considerable benefit strategically? In my constituency, the A509 bypass and the A45 dualling would help us enormously. Will he look at those projects?

Stephen Hammond Portrait Stephen Hammond
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My hon. Friend is absolutely right. That is why the Government have had two tranches of pinch-point improvements for the national strategic road network, and have provided £170 million for local pinch-points as well. I would be delighted to meet him at some stage in the near future to discuss his schemes.

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Tom Brake Portrait Tom Brake
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Clearly, the Government will not withdraw the Bill. It has been made very clear over the past couple of days that the Government will bring forward an amendment on Report to address the significant issue that charities have raised with us. We hope to come to a conclusion that they think is satisfactory.

Peter Bone Portrait Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con)
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Does the Deputy Leader of the House agree that a more important reform with regard to amendments would be to allow Members on both sides a free vote in Committee and to not subject them to whipping? Would that not produce better legislation?

Tom Brake Portrait Tom Brake
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That is an interesting point. I suspect that allowing free votes on amendments in this place would lead to chaos.