Oral Answers to Questions

Adrian Sanders Excerpts

Thursday 27th October 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Prisk]

I will be delighted—my diary secretary may not be—to respond positively to my hon. Friend’s request.

[Mr Adrian Sanders (Torbay) (LD)]

11. What recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on support for seaside town economies.

[The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Greg Clark)]

My two Departments, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Department for Communities and Local Government, have regular discussions with the Treasury about support for economies. My hon. Friend will know that the Chief Secretary to the Treasury has announced the coastal communities fund, which will be available from April.

[Mr Sanders]

Two Select Committee reports have identified that one of the main problems facing coastal communities is poor transport links. May I invite the Minister to visit the warm and welcoming English riviera to see the challenges and opportunities there, which could be fully addressed by better transport links?

[Greg Clark]

A visit to the English riviera is an enticing invitation, and I will be delighted to go there. My hon. Friend is right to say that connectivity is a concern for all coastal communities, and I know that he is waiting for a decision on the south Devon link road. I cannot pre-empt that, but I think I will go by train this time to avoid any delays.