Part of the debate – in Westminster Hall am 2:30 pm ar 6 Chwefror 2025.
Martin Vickers
Ceidwadwyr, Brigg and Immingham
2:30,
6 Chwefror 2025
I thank all the hon. Members who have taken part in what has been a very worthwhile debate. This is the Shadow Minister’s first time on the front bench, and I am sure he will go far. I emphasise that the demand for a direct service to Grimsby and Cleethorpes also has widespread support in the business sector. The Hull and Humber chamber of commerce did a survey some time ago and there is overwhelming interest.
The Minister mentioned the problems with abstraction from the main operator, and that was one of the reasons the Grand Central Rail application was turned down eight to 10 years ago. He talked about the impact on the taxpayer of the subsidy, but with LNER the subsidy is going down at the same time that there is greater competition, so I urge him to bear that in mind. It is, as I say, an easy win for the Government’s economic growth strategy.
I thank everyone for their presence. I will now rush off to King’s Cross to catch the train, but unfortunately I will have to change at Doncaster. The one advantage of changing at Doncaster—a station I know very well—is that Melanie Onn and I often exchange interesting gossip about life at Westminster there.
Question put and agreed to.
Resolved,
That this House
has considered open access operators for rail services.
Sitting suspended.
The first bench on either side of the House of Commons, reserved for ministers and leaders of the principal political parties.
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
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The Party Leader assigns specific portfolios according to the ability, seniority and popularity of the shadow cabinet's members.
