Oral Answers to Questions

Philip Hollobone Excerpts

Thursday 22nd July 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Hammond]

I do indeed agree with my hon. Friend. The ultimate solution probably lies in the introduction of scanners as a primary means of security screening at our airports. At the moment, that cannot be done under EU rules. Part of my discussion with the EU is seeking to persuade it that we can resolve the particular problems of religious headwear by addressing the wider issue of adopting scanners as a primary screening method.

[Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con)]

16. When he expects to announce his Department’s decision on the planned widening by the Highways Agency of the A14 around Kettering.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Mike Penning)]

All expenditure on the strategic road network is being considered under the spending review. When the outcome is known in the autumn, I hope to provide my hon. Friend with greater clarity on the future of this scheme.

[Mr Hollobone]

This project is very important to my constituents in Kettering, so may I draw to the Minister’s attention as he makes up his mind the fact that the road is already at capacity, with 70,000 vehicles a day going round the town? That section of road is actually three roads in one—the A6, the A43 and the A14.

[Mike Penning]

Not only are there 70,000 vehicles a day, but 20% are HGVs, which is 10% higher than the average in the UK. The project will cost between £86 million and £142 million. When the spending review is over, we will assess the problems that Kettering is having because of that huge amount of traffic.