Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Transport

Oral Answers to Questions

Tristram Hunt Excerpts
Thursday 28th February 2013

(11 years, 3 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord McLoughlin Portrait Mr McLoughlin
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I am grateful to my hon. Friend. Last week I made a trip to the north-east talking to a number of companies. I am aware that many companies up there and in other places along the route are interested in, and prepared to be involved, in all phases of HS2. It is a beneficial project for the whole United Kingdom and I can assure my hon. Friend that we will be looking at ways to involve British business in all aspects of the HS2 programme.

Tristram Hunt Portrait Tristram Hunt (Stoke-on-Trent Central) (Lab)
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16. The updated case for HS2 involves significant downgrading of provision and a collapse of existing services to Stoke-on-Trent so that Milton Keynes can have its high-speed service. How does this help rebalance the economy and why is my constituency being disadvantaged by HS2?

Lord McLoughlin Portrait Mr McLoughlin
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Two weeks ago, I met representatives from Stoke, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Stafford. I welcome all views, and we will take a final decision on the route after the full consultation. The hon. Gentleman should be a bit more enthusiastic about such things.