Business of the House Debate

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Department: Leader of the House

Business of the House

Ben Howlett Excerpts
Thursday 26th May 2016

(7 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Thérèse Coffey Portrait Dr Coffey
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The purpose of the Act that was passed during the last Parliament was to ensure that constituencies were of equal size, and I thought that very fair. I find it extraordinary that there are 40 MPs in Wales, representing considerably smaller constituencies than the average in England and Scotland. Someone who says that he believes in fairness should accept that that is what the electorate deserve.

Ben Howlett Portrait Ben Howlett (Bath) (Con)
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I welcomed this week’s news that the west of England, including Bath, had received £2.2 million of Government funds to increase access to walking and cycling. Does my hon. Friend agree not only that that will benefit health, but that the subject of walking and cycling should be raised during debates on the infrastructure Bill?

Thérèse Coffey Portrait Dr Coffey
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That is an interesting suggestion. We already have walking and cycling strategies, and transport questions may provide opportunities to debate their effectiveness further. I am sure that cycling around Bath is a very pleasurable experience, as well as being particularly good for the thighs because there are so many hills.