Oral Answers to Questions Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: Scotland Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Mark Jenkinson Excerpts
Wednesday 18th May 2022

(1 year, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Dehenna Davison Portrait Dehenna Davison (Bishop Auckland) (Con)
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

11. What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on improving Union connectivity.

Mark Jenkinson Portrait Mark Jenkinson (Workington) (Con)
- Hansard - -

15. What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on improving Union connectivity.

Alister Jack Portrait The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr Alister Jack)
- Parliament Live - Hansard - - - Excerpts

The UK Government are carefully considering the recommendations set out in Sir Peter Hendy’s Union connectivity review. My hon. Friend Baroness Vere, the Minister responsible for Union connectivity, has discussed the UCR recommendations with Graeme Dey MSP, the former Scottish Government Transport Minister. Sadly, Mr Dey has since stepped down for health reasons. In February, we first requested a meeting with his replacement, Jenny Gilruth. We hope to meet Ms Gilruth as soon as her busy diary allows.

--- Later in debate ---
Alister Jack Portrait Mr Jack
- Parliament Live - Hansard - - - Excerpts

I notice that my hon. Friend was being rudely interrupted, but what I think I picked up was that the A68 from Darlington to Midlothian is of great importance to cross-border transport connectivity between England and Scotland. I extend my congratulations to Durham County Council for its success in the levelling-up fund. The rerouting of the A68 at Toft Hill will create a new 1.6 km bypass away from the village centre, which I know my hon. Friend has been campaigning tirelessly for.

Mark Jenkinson Portrait Mark Jenkinson
- Parliament Live - Hansard - -

Will my right hon. Friend set out his assessment of the impact of devolution on Union connectivity?

Alister Jack Portrait Mr Jack
- Parliament Live - Hansard - - - Excerpts

Sir Peter Hendy noted in his final report that

“devolution has been good for transport”.

However, he identified that it has none the less led to

“a gap in UK-wide strategic transport planning that has resulted in cross-border schemes…seeming to be a lower priority than other schemes which may provide greater local benefit.”

Through the implementation of UKNET, we are committed to forging and strengthening transport bonds and creating a better-connected United Kingdom.