Contributions
630 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDTopical QuestionsFirst, let us be clear: there is no perfect, off-the-shelf system available to airports that will simply deal with this problem overnight. I pay tribute to those in the police and…10 Jan 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsI am afraid I do not agree with my right hon. Friend. Airports in this country and around the world are now working intensively to ensure they can deliver technology that will…10 Jan 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsWe have an allocation of funding for next year, but almost all our expenditure has taken place within the current year—it is in the region of £70 million. That is the prime amount…10 Jan 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe slight delay to the issuing of the new franchise is for complex reasons related to rail pensions. I have noted the issues that my right hon. Friend has raised. I am concerned…10 Jan 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsWe are confident that this was a proper procurement process, handled by the procurement team in my Department in the normal way.10 Jan 2019HANSARDSeaborne FreightThat is why we are not going to spend the money until the ships are available and running. The reality is that we do need to spend money to prepare for a no-deal Brexit. I hope…08 Jan 2019HANSARDSeaborne FreightThe clearest assurance that I can give is that I have been to Calais and met my French counterpart to talk about this issue, I have met the president of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais,…08 Jan 2019HANSARDSeaborne FreightAs I say, the Government do not aspire to a managed or an unmanaged no deal—we want to secure a deal—but it is not responsible not to prepare for all eventualities.08 Jan 2019HANSARDSeaborne FreightThe common transit convention is the international agreement by which trade flows across multiple countries. It has already been announced that in leaving the European Union the…08 Jan 2019HANSARDSeaborne FreightWe received three compliant bids, all of which we judged acceptable and accepted. Two of them were from major operators that will provide around 90% of the capacity, plus there…08 Jan 2019HANSARDSeaborne FreightI appreciate that the Scottish National party does not support Brexit and, indeed, would like to do everything it can to stop Brexit, but we will work to make sure that every part…08 Jan 2019HANSARDSeaborne FreightOf course, it is not a single contract. There are multiple contracts, of which 90% is going to two of the biggest cross-channel operators—something the Labour party appears to be…08 Jan 2019HANSARDSeaborne FreightIn effect, what we are doing is buying tickets in advance on cross-channel ferries on a number of routes around the country. That is what we are doing. It is no more and no less…08 Jan 2019HANSARDSeaborne FreightI am not going to comment on the commercial plans of Seaborne Freight. I am satisfied that it will have the ships necessary to operate the service, but if it is not able to…08 Jan 2019HANSARDSeaborne FreightLet me say two things. First, I thought it would be good for the port of Plymouth to have more traffic; I am sorry that the hon. Gentleman does not agree. Secondly, the reality is…08 Jan 2019HANSARDSeaborne FreightMy right hon. Friend makes a good point. There seems to be visceral hatred of small business on the other side of the House and a visceral belief that the Government should not be…08 Jan 2019HANSARDSeaborne FreightMr Speaker, that is an inappropriate thing for any Member to say, and I am not going to respond to it.08 Jan 2019HANSARDSeaborne FreightWhat a load of absolute tripe. I can tell the hon. Gentleman has not been listening to me. Ninety per cent. of this contract has been awarded to substantial and established ferry…08 Jan 2019HANSARDSeaborne FreightI am very happy to reiterate that. It is a responsible approach to a new contract with a new business that we will pay when the business delivers. It is disappointing to hear that…08 Jan 2019HANSARDSeaborne FreightI absolutely agree. Of course, if we find ourselves in a no-deal scenario, a number of other ports, including Tilbury, will play a part. I hope we do not reach that point, and I…08 Jan 2019