(12 years, 11 months ago)
Grand CommitteeMy Lords, may I suggest that we allow the Minister to lay out his stall, as it were? It may well be that he covers noble Lords’ points in his opening remarks.
I was intervening simply because my noble and learned friend referred to the small number of people affected, and indeed the Explanatory Memorandum to the order refers to the first report dealing with Brecon and Radnorshire, and Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, as affecting only 18 electors. Could he say how many people in total are affected by the order?
(13 years, 7 months ago)
Lords ChamberMy Lords, the noble Lord is absolutely right. Most of the valley lines are going to be electrified for precisely the reason that he describes.
Will my noble friend bear in mind the increased attractiveness of the valleys in terms of enterprise zones and the promotion of work opportunities if the valley lines are electrified?