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Light Rail

Thank you, Mr. O'Hara, I shall be watchful of the time. May I also congratulate the hon. Member for Rochdale (Paul Rowen)? This is an important debate, as we have heard from today's contributions, and this is an important matter throughout England and the large conurbations. Manchester has demonstrated that its own Metrolink is a success, and I want to refer to the remarks that my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Blackley (Graham Stringer) made about the regeneration impact. I am bound to find this frustrating, representing as I do the inner-city constituency in Manchester, where regeneration, inspired by this Government—frankly, it would not have taken place without the efforts of this Government—has been frustrated by the slowness and delays in bringing forward the Metrolink scheme. Metrolink is a vital part of that regeneration. It brings to bear part of the infrastructure that is necessary to deliver the high-quality transport links that that regeneration needs. We have seen in Greater Manchester how existing Metrolink schemes have impacted on places that would have traditionally been seen as less than fashionable. Those places are now economically and socially successful, and Metrolink has played an important part. My question to the Minister is whether we can break through the ““departmentalitis”” on this matter. I share the concern expressed by my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Attercliffe (Mr. Betts) that the mood seems to have changed—and changed perversely and paradoxically. The benefits of Metrolink, even relative to other transport systems, seem to be fairly obvious—at least to a lay person such as myself. Because of the inability to compare like with like in terms of the total spending, we have come to the illogical conclusion that Metrolink is too expensive. I am at one with the Minister about wanting to bear down on the costs of the Metrolink scheme. It is in the interests of the taxpayer and the council tax payer. However, when the greater benefits of the Metrolink scheme's wider impact are added, the case for tram schemes in Greater Manchester and elsewhere is proven. I hope that we can grapple with that idea both in Manchester and in general, so that we can force through the rapid development of light trams. I have tried to keep within your time frame, Mr. O'Hara.