Speeches by Collier.

“We have obviously spoken about construction, and you have said that the construction from Old Oak Common to Curzon Street is expected to be completed by 2029 for the civils. I am close to Handsacre junction, which I am sure my friend Dave Robertson has been on at you about, Minister.”

“I want to touch on the human impact of the decision on phase 2a, because Bagshaws is in my constituency. Bagshaws is a chartered surveyor, which particularly supports agricultural landowners along the phase 2a route. We have heard from several local farmers and landowners who feel uncertain about what is meant for the …”

“This question is for Mark. You have obviously told us today that prior to your appointment the project was unco-ordinated and had lost control. You have previously told us that HS2 Ltd was not set up to manage delivery. What steps have you taken to restructure the organisation so that it prioritises delivery?”

“We have spoken about speed, signalisation and technology. Are there any other areas of over-complexity—gold-plating, to use Scott’s phrase—that could be removed, or do you feel that you have addressed all the challenges?”

“Could you confirm some of the timescales, if you know, around that junction specifically?”

“I can understand the need to have protections in place for a potential future railway, but there is quite a lot of safeguarded land that could be used for agriculture over the next 20 years or so. Is that something that you are actively exploring?”

“Is that standardisation better for the supply chain and the companies that are supporting the delivery of the project?”

“I am glad that there is a recognition of that. My constituents travel on the A38 and it has been a complete nightmare. I think it is still the plan to put the national speed limit back in place by April. Is that still on track?”

“The Secretary of State mentioned that construction productivity has increased across the project. What steps have you taken to improve that performance?”

“3. What steps she is taking to support businesses to trade globally.”

“I recently joined Cosy Direct for its second King’s Award presentation, this time for international trade. Cosy Direct is an award-winning business in early years education resources, exporting globally and continuing to grow. The Chancellor saw its success, and its goats, at first hand when she visited with me last ye…”

“At the moment there are contracts on assets within the private sector that are going to be coming over to yourselves within the first period of RIS3. What are you doing to prepare for that transition? There could be a situation where these assets are not returned to you in the condition that you would expect. How are y…”

“I am just coming back to roadworks, which is the bane of mine and my constituents’ lives. I know, Elliot, you mentioned that obviously this was one of the reasons why user satisfaction was down, I am just wondering how you have refined your approach to sequencing of roadwork so that it minimises disruption to people us…”

“I think it was Elliot that said earlier some of the slippage that we have seen in RIS2 has contributed to some congestion as well. How are you going to make sure that maintenance work and renewal work that you are doing does not slip into this period to reduce the congestion?”

“RIS3 represents a significant shift away from new roads to renewals over the next five years. Nick, how prepared are you as an organisation to deliver it successfully?”

“Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent host excellent tourism hotspots and venues, and my constituency plays a key part in that. Will the Leader of the House join me in congratulating all the businesses in Burton and Uttoxeter that won in this year’s Visit Staffordshire tourism awards, including: Uttoxeter racecourse; Densto…”

“We know that lithium-ion batteries can create big fires that are difficult for the fire service to put out. Do you think those concerns around fire safety are justified?”

“On some of the barriers to adoption, 75% of coach operators and 70% of HGV operators say they have no plans to introduce EVs into their fleet. Why do you think this is, and what are the barriers that the Government need to overcome to help people with that transition?”

“Do you think electrification of HGVs is practical? I have heard from DHL, which operates in my constituency, that because of its business operation it would be very difficult for it to electrify its fleet. Is that something you are hearing from your members?”

“As you said previously, operators will be making decisions for five or 10 years’ time. Do you think that factors into it as well? It is okay for the Government to have these schemes, but if they do not come at the right time for business planning, they will not opt in?”