Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Wales Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Stephen Mosley Excerpts
Wednesday 3rd December 2014

(9 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Alun Cairns Portrait Alun Cairns
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On the contrary, things have not gone quiet on north Wales electrification. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales was in north-east and north-west Wales last week, championing the need for business to grow and make its case, so that when the Secretary of State for Transport makes his final judgments on the next round of investment, north Wales is at the forefront of his mind.

Stephen Mosley Portrait Stephen Mosley (City of Chester) (Con)
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The Silk commission has proposed devolving the Wales and Borders rail franchise to the Welsh Assembly. That franchise includes services from Chester to Manchester, Chester to Warrington and Chester to Crewe. What action is my hon. Friend taking to make sure that services in England are not devolved to the Welsh Assembly?

Alun Cairns Portrait Alun Cairns
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The devolution of the electrification of the franchise is part of the electrification decisions that were taken for the valley lines and I am sure my hon. Friend will want to make a case for services that start and finish in England. The joint agreement between the Department for Transport and the Welsh Government continues, and my hon. Friend will no doubt want to make his views known.