(10Â years ago)
Commons Chamber Mr McLoughlin
        
    
    
    
    
    
        
        
        
            Mr McLoughlin 
        
    
        
    
        The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right about the academy at Northampton, which I visited a few months ago and which my hon. Friend the rail Minister opened just a few weeks ago. It will play an important role in upskilling, but it is not just about upskilling the state; it is about upskilling the whole industry and bringing it together. That is one reason I asked Sir Terry Morgan, the chairman of Crossrail, to co-ordinate an apprenticeships programme right across the transport sector.
 Stephen Metcalfe (South Basildon and East Thurrock) (Con)
        
    
    
    
    
    
        
        
        
            Stephen Metcalfe (South Basildon and East Thurrock) (Con) 
        
    
        
    
        8. What steps his Department is taking to support skills development to help deliver the Government’s transport infrastructure programmes.