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Crossrail Bill [Instruction No. 2]

Does the Secretary of State accept that it is also the Government’s role, in trying to push the project forward, to take some control of its manageability? I accept that we have a hybrid Bill and it is ultimately for a Select Committee to determine the matter, but as the hon. Member for Hackney, North and Stoke Newington (Ms Abbott) rightly pointed out, in London we want some progress on the basics of Crossrail. It must now be up to the Government to make their voice heard to ensure that the funding comes together, even if it is for a limited part of the Crossrail plan. We should not allow the Ebbsfleet to Reading aspect to delay progress. That must be the Government’s role; it cannot be only the Select Committee’s role. All hon. Members look to the Secretary of State for some guidance to ensure genuine progress.