Contributions
2,441 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Fifth sitting)I thank the shadow Minister for his response and questions. Again, I make the point that with a number of these provisions we are trying to align the Highways Act with other…13 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Fifth sitting)I welcome both the broad support for the intent behind the clause and the very reasonable questions that have been put to me by members of the Committee. To be very clear, because…13 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Fifth sitting)I am more than happy to write to the shadow Minister about the role of county authorities in managing the highway network, and how the Highways Act and the consenting regime…13 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Fifth sitting)It is a pleasure to continue our proceedings with you in the Chair, Mrs Hobhouse. Chapter 3 of part 1 of the Bill deals with reform of transport infrastructure. Its various…13 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Fifth sitting)I very much welcome that intervention, as will my officials, I am sure. It saves them a letter—although letters may be forthcoming in the course of debate if we require further…13 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Sixth sitting)I understand why the hon. Gentleman is doing so, but he tempts me to announce the proposals that we will bring forward. I would like to do that as a package so the House can see…13 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Sixth sitting)I thank the hon. Gentleman for reminding me of that point. It is a point well made, and it was also made by the shadow Minister on another clause. I will go away and reflect on…13 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Sixth sitting)I will just make this point, then I will give way for a final time. This debate has revealed a very principled difference of opinion, sincerely held, about whether it is…13 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Sixth sitting)I appreciate the comments from the Liberal Democrat spokesman, the hon. Member for Taunton and Wellington, and the shadow Minister, the hon. Member for Ruislip, Northwood and…13 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Sixth sitting)I thank the hon. Gentleman for that point. We will certainly go away and reflect, because it is broadly our intention to ensure that the Transport and Works Act is brought into…13 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Sixth sitting)Let me first say that, for entirely understandable reasons, this has been a passionate debate. People feel very strongly about the local planning system, the role of elected…13 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Fifth sitting)I think we will all know where to place the blame if that scenario arises—we will not need to add an extra day. I gently say to the shadow Minister, the hon. Member for Ruislip,…13 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Sixth sitting)What is there to say to that? In no way did I imply that the Mayor of London requires planning training—I think he has had extensive planning training—but the training requirement…13 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Sixth sitting)But the conversation that we will have to have, because we have the numbers, is what the national scheme of delegation should incorporate, not whether we bring one forward. Three…13 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Sixth sitting)I refer back to my point: the hon. Gentleman may take the view, which is a perfectly coherent and respectable view, that a national scheme of delegation is wrong in principle.…13 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Fifth sitting)The clause concerns compulsory acquisition powers in relation to projects undertaken under the Highways Act 1980. No clear provision is currently available to allow Highways Act…13 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Sixth sitting)The shadow Minister did explain that correctly, and I recognise the challenge. I would say two things: first, I assure him that party political considerations have not factored in…13 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Sixth sitting)I thank the shadow Minister for that point. In no way am I implying that in a committee meeting, the process of putting hands up on another vote is itself onerous. What are…13 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Fifth sitting)Clause 27 will reduce the objection period for applications under the Highways Act 1980 from six weeks to 30 days. Such applications could be for the construction of new roads,…13 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Sixth sitting)The final point I will make before giving way is that, were a local authority to seek to evade that ringfencing provision by reducing the amount of resource going into its…13 May 2025