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Crossrail Bill [Instruction No. 2]

I welcome the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell (Chris Grayling) to his new post and the hon. Member for Wimbledon (Stephen Hammond) to his first Front-Bench position. I am grateful to hon. Members for a valuable debate on the instructions to the Select Committee dealing with the Crossrail Bill. I am pleased that there is such widespread support for the Bill. The Committee process will be an important part of ensuring that we deliver Crossrail, to which our commitment is clear and firm. A great deal of work has been done to ensure that it is delivered as soon as possible. Unfortunately, I do not have time to respond to all the points that have been made in the debate, but I shall do my best to respond briefly to some of them. Of course, the issues raised by hon. Members will be the subject of further and detailed consideration by the Select Committee, and matters to do with the details of the project will be the subject of thorough interrogation. The additional measures that the Government propose to introduce will also be subject to that rigorous process. If the House passes the instructions, the Committee will be able to consider other matters that are causing great concern but that would otherwise have been outside its remit. Many hon. Members spoke in this excellent debate. My right hon. Friend the Member for Greenwich and Woolwich (Mr. Raynsford) stated his strong support for the Bill, highlighting the economic benefits of Crossrail to London and to the country as a whole. He strongly favours a station at Woolwich—he has made that case before—and the Select Committee will hear petitions on the subject. The hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington (Tom Brake) raised a variety of issues. I can only respond briefly to a couple of them today. All of the material relating to the additional provisions will be published next week and local authorities will be able to petition the Select Committee, which will then consider the details. He raised the important subject of Crossrail’s effect on rail freight. I chair the Crossrail high-level forum, which brings together interested parties such as local government and rail industry representatives. We have set up a sub-group on rail, and all the rail interests attend its meetings. We have also set up a working group on the timetable and on access options, which involves rail freight interests, and we are working together to get the best possible solution. It is not the case that there will be a reduction in freight. My hon. Friend the Member for Reading, West (Martin Salter) made a strong argument on behalf of his constituency, emphasising Reading’s importance as a rail terminal. He made a strong case for Reading and I note that he welcomed the Government’s instruction in that respect. The hon. Member for Romford (Andrew Rosindell) spoke about the impact of Crossrail as strongly he did on Second Reading. Discussions are ongoing with the local authority and other bodies about some of the issues that he raised here today. My hon. Friend the Member for Erith and Thamesmead (John Austin) said that we have an opportunity to ensure that the dream of Crossrail is realised. He spoke about its importance to the Thames Gateway, referring to its economic benefits and the need for jobs and development and for the removal of any constraints on that. He also spoke about the project’s wider significance to London and the country as a whole. My hon. Friend the Member for Eltham (Clive Efford) made important points on the need to improve public transport. He also highlighted Crossrail’s importance to his constituency and London in terms of regeneration and job creation. He spoke about the job losses that have occurred in his part of London over the past couple of decades and recognised the opportunity that now exists. He, too, made the case for Woolwich. The hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. Pickles) raised a number of issues. I can only refer him to what my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State told him during his opening remarks. The Select Committee will sit for the first time next week under the chairmanship of my hon. Friend the Member for Mansfield (Mr. Meale). It will discuss matters of detail, and it will have an opportunity to examine many of the issues raised by hon. Members, petitioners and others. Instructions before the House provide important clarification for the Committee, and will further facilitate its proceedings. The Committee will be a crucial next step in the Bill’s progress towards the realisation of Crossrail, and I commend the motions to the House. Question put:— The House divided: Ayes 390, Noes 0.