Oral Answers to Questions

John Bercow Excerpts

Thursday 28th January 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Goodwill]

I can understand the hon. Gentleman’s frustration in wanting to make more progress, but I have to say that there is more than one way of killing a cat. Yes, alternative fuels may have an important role to play, but more importantly—[Interruption.] More importantly, a market-based mechanism will allow other types of technology to be developed which can then be used to offset the emissions from aviation, which will always be dependent on liquid fuels. [Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

We are grateful to the Minister, who I fear is being accused of what might be called metaphorical inexactitude.

[Marion Fellows (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP)]

4. What recent discussions he has had with Ministers in the Scottish Government on development of the high-speed rail network.

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[Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op)]

Mr Speaker, may I quickly associate myself with the generous tribute you paid to those great servants of the House, but point out that you seemed to omit the time and date of the lavish retirement party you are putting on for them?

May I say to the rail Ministers that they have challenged us to speak to the facts? According to the BBC, the facts are that the trans-Pennine electrification is in severe doubt because of what is happening in the south, where electrification is four years late. New trains are arriving before the rails are ready and they are parking them up in sidings.

[Mr Speaker]

I am not sure the hon. Gentleman will be on the party invitation list with a question that length.

[Andrew Jones]

The hon. Gentleman is wrong. Let me briefly remind him that under this Government there has been more electrification than in the entire 13 years of the previous Labour Government.

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[Andrew Jones]

The taskforce informed the next control period and the control periods after that. The detail of the content of CP6 is not yet complete.

[Mr Speaker]

I call Jake Berry.

[Jake Berry (Rossendale and Darwen) (Con)]

Number 11, Mr Speaker.

[Mr Speaker]

Number 10. A modest difference, but an important one.

[Jake Berry (Rossendale and Darwen) (Con)]

10. What progress has been made on repairing transport links damaged by flooding in Lancashire.

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[Mr Goodwill]

Certainly the strategic road network has been particularly resilient despite the storms, and Network Rail has been absolutely valiant in fixing problems, particularly as over the Christmas period it was engaged in a massive investment programme to upgrade the service. We must certainly learn lessons. Network Rail is on standby this week in areas where it suspects there may be problems.

[Mr Speaker]

I call Stephen Phillips.

[Stephen Phillips (Sleaford and North Hykeham) (Con)]

Since I have the ability to count, I think I will ask for question 11.

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[Several hon. Members rose—]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Demand exceeds supply, as so often, but I am afraid we must now move on.