Speeches by Glover.

“I understand your point about not wanting to get into specifics while it sounds like commercial discussions may be in place.”

“Okay, you are happy for that phrase, but could you answer this hopefully fairly straightforward question about the goals for the post-HS2 operational reality? For the reality of a train service to London, Manchester, Liverpool, Preston and Glasgow, is it your expectation that whatever rolling stock and timetable soluti…”

“Noting the Chair’s admonishments, we have explored a few times, Secretary of State, the lack of train services between Oxford and Milton Keynes. Is there anything specific you could tell the Committee about progress that is being made, or when anything might happen?”

“The Government have been very clear in their support for Thames Water’s proposed £5.7 billion White Horse reservoir in Oxfordshire. Given that Thames Water may run out of money in months, what assessment has the Secretary of State made of the risk that a collapse could lead to the Government having to bear the cost of …”

“Young people in Oxford, Bicester, Winslow, Bletchley and Milton Keynes are sitting their exams, but they continue to not be able to use a train to get to school or for leisure, despite this phase of East West Rail opening 18 months ago. I have a little exam question for the Minister. What timescale will the Government …”

“The current cycling and walking investment strategy includes a target for 55% of trips to be walked, wheeled or cycled by 2035. Is the Secretary of State confident that there is a realistic plan with sufficient funding to achieve that target?”

“Do you feel that the strategy adequately sets out how the Government intend to measure or evaluate the return on investment for integrated transport projects? I suppose that is a yes or no question. So can we have five one-word answers?”

“Any other thoughts on that?”

“It is time for some more jargon now. We touched on this earlier when you, Mr Ableman, gave your example of paying for travel in Denmark with your phone tracking and movement data. What safeguards are needed to ensure that that kind of digital integration does not worsen digital exclusion? Perhaps we should think of it …”

“You touched on some of this in some of your earlier answers, but by all means, expand on them. What barriers currently prevent better integration of walking, cycling and wheeling infrastructure with public transport? Do you feel the strategy sets out ways to improve that?”

“It will be very interesting. You have all made points that have wider applicability. It seems to me that we have a bizarre aversion in this country, particularly in relation to transport, to looking at and learning from beyond our shores. I do not really understand why but that is definitely beyond the scope of this. I…”

“You mentioned Mini Switzerland, and Mr Ableman, I know this is something about which you have a great passion on a number of platforms. I want to ask about the funding that Government are providing for the Mini Switzerland demonstrator in the Hope Valley, which for those who do not know, is the only direct railway betw…”

“Does the strategy, in the case studies that it sets out and includes, reflect best practice on multimodal integration?”

“Without boring the House with a re-litigation of the debate we had in Committee, I will just say that the idea that passenger and freight are mutually exclusive and that there must be a choice between them is not correct. The Westbahn upgrade in Austria is a really good example of how investment has delivered an increa…”

“I commend my hon. Friend for her industry in the number of amendments she has tabled to the Bill. I hope the Government will listen and consider new clause 37, as they did with her new clause 36 regarding veterans. New clauses 7 and 8 would make more explicit commitments for GBR to have greater environmental and carbon…”

“The county of Norfolk suffered particularly from the Beeching cuts of the 1960s, so that needs to be looked at. That is a good example of the potential for rail to improve rural connectivity. I would not mind so much that the Government are so keen to reduce train service where there is less demand if they or the rail …”

“I am happy to thank the Minister here and Lord Hendy for engaging with my hon. Friend’s amendment to better enable members of our armed forces, veterans and their families to travel to services on Remembrance Sunday. New clauses 6 and 2 and amendments 2 and 3 would require GBR to deliver meaningful fares reform and inn…”

“My hon. Friend is absolutely right. That is why we need new clause 1 to provide a railway passengers’ charter fit for the 21st century. With rail fares as high as they are, things like functioning wi-fi or phone signal, enough space for luggage, functioning toilets or even a seat should no longer be seen as indulgent l…”

“As we said on Second Reading and in Committee, the Bill has the right goals: sorting out the convoluted and byzantine structure of our rail industry, and better aligning infrastructure with train operation. But the question before us is whether the Bill, as currently drafted, will achieve those very valid aims. The Min…”

“My hon. Friend is absolutely right. That is why we need new clause 1 to provide a railway passengers’ charter fit for the 21st century. With rail fares as high as they are, things like functioning wi-fi or phone signal, enough space for luggage, functioning toilets or even a seat should no longer be seen as indulgent l…”