Contributions
511 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDRailways Bill (Seventh sitting)The Committee heard from some representatives of the private sector. Lord Hendy has also highlighted that Hitachi—I believe it was—has made multi-million-pound investments that…29 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Seventh sitting)On those local business units, how large an area are they likely to be structured on? That has not been in the debate to this point, and may reassure me. I appreciate that that…29 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Seventh sitting)I believe that the Mayor of London’s transport strategy is already considered within the wording of the Bill. I did not draft the Bill; it is not my Bill. I am just highlighting…29 Jan 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsT4. Charmaine from Cox and Co Salon in Plymstock in my constituency has been in contact because Government business decisions are making it incredibly difficult for her business…29 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Seventh sitting)The Minister’s comments imply that a 15-year strategy would be fixed in concrete and could not be amended. I am assuming that the 30-year strategy will be fluid and flexible to…29 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Seventh sitting)Will the Minister give way?29 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Seventh sitting)Does my hon. Friend agree that one of the positives of new clause 33 and its attempt to rectify things as they stand, is that it is not throwing private investment in our rolling…29 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Seventh sitting)Bear with me one second. Ensuring that manufacturing process in the long term will be important. I will give way to the hon. Member, who is much more learned on this matter than…29 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Seventh sitting)I want to make a few comments in support of the amendments in the name of my hon. Friend the Member for Broadland and Fakenham. He suggested that I might want to make some…29 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Fifth sitting)I do not think I said this earlier, because I was merely intervening, but it is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Alec. I appreciate what the Minister just set out…27 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Fifth sitting)I would argue that my hon. Friend the Member for Broadland and Fakenham has tabled a key amendment, which relates to something that came up in the scrutiny of the Bill in the…27 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Fifth sitting)The Minister spoke earlier about the consultation. It is worth restating that it is not the final draft but a consultation on the draft that is going to happen. We will have sight…27 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Fifth sitting)My hon. Friend’s argument highlights the challenge that a lot of the independent retailers, open access users and, potentially, freight users will face if the Bill remains as…27 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Fifth sitting)I do not want to stop my hon. Friend’s flow, as I believe he is probably coming to the end of his remarks. On listening to his eloquent speech, it strikes me that these amendments…27 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Sixth sitting)It is an honour to speak with you in the Chair, Mr Western. I will touch on three of the new clauses—one at greater length than the others—to follow up on the words of my hon.…27 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Sixth sitting)No you haven’t!27 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Sixth sitting)I want to briefly speak to the proposed new subsection added by amendment 23, which would offer anybody given conditions by GBR the opportunity to appeal that decision to the…27 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Sixth sitting)That is a very long time ago. Under privatisation, the unions have done a very good job. In my constituency in the south-west, there are no seven-day contracts, for example. If I…27 Jan 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsAt the weekend, Storm Ingrid caused the sea wall at Dawlish to collapse in two new places, and we wait to see the damage caused by Storm Chandra today. Both storms are once again…27 Jan 2026HANSARDRailways Bill (Sixth sitting)I am thinking through the schedule. Forgive me if I am wrong, but ultimately, it is GBR’s business plan. Effectively though, there are going to be wheels within wheels, in terms…27 Jan 2026