All 1 Debates between Robert Goodwill and Steve Baker

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Robert Goodwill and Steve Baker
Thursday 10th March 2016

(8 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Steve Baker Portrait Mr Steve Baker (Wycombe) (Con)
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12. When construction of High Speed 2 is planned to begin.

Robert Goodwill Portrait The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Mr Robert Goodwill)
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A great deal of work has already been completed, and actual construction will start next year.

Steve Baker Portrait Mr Baker
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Tempted as I am to propose that the Government build HS2 sometime in the Parliament after next, when it will be seen for the white elephant that it is, could the Minister reassure me that there is time enough to deal with all the environmental impacts of HS2, such as the construction impact on the historic village of West Wycombe in my constituency?

Robert Goodwill Portrait Mr Goodwill
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My hon. Friend did promise me an impish supplementary question and I was not disappointed. The fact is that we have promised that there will be no net environmental loss during the construction. Indeed, we plan to plant 2 million trees as part of the phase 1 construction. I think it will be a project that we can be proud of and one that communities up and down the country will value as part of our economic plans.