National Infrastructure Plan
Debate between Robin Walker and Danny Alexander(10 years, 11 months ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
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Danny Alexander
I am very glad that the hon. Lady has given me the chance to talk about affordable housing, because I can refer to the fact that the number of affordable houses in this country fell by 421,000 during Labour’s time in office. We now have the largest annual house building programme for affordable homes through housing associations for two decades. I would have hoped that she would welcome rather than criticise that.
Mr Robin Walker (Worcester) (Con)
The coalition Government are delivering progress on new nuclear and transport infrastructure where the Labour Government utterly failed during their time in office. On the transport front, I particularly welcome the inclusion of the Birmingham airport runway extension—it will be completed in 2014, according to the document—which will provide direct links between the engine room of the British economy in the midlands and China and far east, where we are drumming up so much business.
Danny Alexander
My hon. Friend is absolutely right to highlight the runway extension at Birmingham airport. A year or so ago, with my hon. Friend the Member for Solihull (Lorely Burt), I had the privilege to visit that fantastic project, which will open up access to a much wider range of destinations from Birmingham airport, and that is a good thing for the whole country.