Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Transport

Oral Answers to Questions

Theresa Villiers Excerpts
Thursday 30th November 2017

(6 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Paul Maynard Portrait Paul Maynard
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I know that the hon. Gentleman listened carefully to yesterday’s strategy announcement, in which he will have heard a lot of reference to reopening lines and opening new lines. I am sure that we will be considering that idea further and I look forward to hearing further details.

Theresa Villiers Portrait Theresa Villiers (Chipping Barnet) (Con)
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The Government have embarked on the biggest upgrade programme for our railways since the Victorian era. What role can that play in addressing the pressing need to improve our productivity in this country?

Paul Maynard Portrait Paul Maynard
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My right hon. Friend is quite right to point out that our significant investment in the railways is underpinned by our belief that we need to improve productivity. Just today, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will launch the HS2 productivity report in Nottingham, which will set out how we intend to use HS2 to improve our productivity performance here in the UK.