Contributions
2,124 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDRailways Bill (Fifth sitting)I am grateful to the Minister for his clarification. When I asked the question and he, with alacrity, answered, I did catch the expression on one of his official’s faces; I have…27 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Sixth sitting)In the context of efficiency and cost, I want briefly to pick up on a point made by my hon. Friend the Member for South West Devon. What assessment have the Government made of the…27 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Sixth sitting)The hon. Gentleman is making a very good point, in the context of infrastructure and operating companies coming together—although it also applies more broadly—about the tightness…27 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Sixth sitting)The Minister is ever optimistic.27 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Sixth sitting)Will the Minister confirm that the advice it will be obliged to seek will be published? If it is private advice, it has no teeth whatsoever, because the Secretary of State could…27 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Sixth sitting)I thank the Minister very much. I cannot imagine where that flash of inspiration and recollection came from, but I am grateful to him for the clarification.27 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Sixth sitting)I will not detain the Committee for long. As ever, I am grateful to the Minister for his succinct explanation. However, I have two concerns; while he may be able to reassure me on…27 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Third sitting)It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mrs Hobhouse. My hon. Friend the Member for Broadland and Fakenham has already addressed clause 1 in broad terms, so I do not…22 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Third sitting)May I ask, on a factual point, what assessment the hon. Gentleman has made of what the cost of that 50% discount would be?22 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Fourth sitting)I appreciate the Minister’s points. How does he see the drive towards electrification, for all the good reasons he has set out, sitting with building a degree of resilience into…22 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Fourth sitting)I have only a few brief remarks to make. Having read both new clause 8 and amendment 130, which is effectively consequential, I say to the hon. Member for Didcot and Wantage that…22 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Fourth sitting)I have it here!22 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Fourth sitting)I regularly find myself agreeing with the hon. Member for West Dorset—possibly to the detriment of us both—on a whole range of things, and I agree with the Liberal Democrat…22 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Fourth sitting)I will speak relatively briefly about a slightly tangential but linked point about co-operation with local authorities. My hon. Friend the Member for Broadland and Fakenham has…22 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Fourth sitting)The Minister has just said that the watchdog will have strong powers, but then uses words like “consultation” and “taking account of”. I have taken Bills through this place, and…22 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Second sitting)Q A brief question from me: in this morning’s session my colleague Ms Smith highlighted 19—and counting—different documents, plans and strategies that are referred to here. This…20 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Second sitting)Q Gentlemen, do you have anything to add? Steve Montgomery: I do not think we have much more to add, other than that, given the way the Bill is written at the moment, how can you…20 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Second sitting)Q One of these questions will hopefully allow for a yes-or-no answer; the other might be just a date. First, we have heard a lot from witnesses about how much is in the Bill, but…20 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Second sitting)Q Thank you. Secondly, one of the most important things for passengers is the cost of rail travel, so when will passengers under this Bill and this plan see fares not just frozen…20 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Second sitting)Q Finally, it has been indicated that GBR’s ticket functions, website and app will be subject to the code of practice, and in theory enforced by the ORR, backing this up. Ben…20 Jan 2026