Last week, Malvern Hills district council approved planning for 67 homes adjacent to my constituency, despite objections from me, from Wyre Forest district council, from Stourport town council and from Astley and Dunley parish council. Those homes have a significant impact on resources for Stourport-on-Severn and Wyre Forest, yet section 106

payments and council tax will be going to Malvern Hills district council. Does the Minister share the frustration of Stourport residents? What steps is he taking to ensure that residents are properly heard when decisions are made that have asymmetric cross-border implications?

Last week, Malvern Hills district council approved planning for 67 homes adjacent to my constituency, despite objections from me, from Wyre Forest district council, from Stourport town council and from Astley and Dunley parish council. Those homes have a significant impact on resources for Stourport-on-Severn and Wyre Forest, yet section 106

payments and council tax will be going to Malvern Hills district council. Does the Minister share the frustration of Stourport residents? What steps is he taking to ensure that residents are properly heard when decisions are made that have asymmetric cross-border implications?

I will be happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss the matter, with any other representatives he would like to bring.

I will be happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss the matter, with any other representatives he would like to bring.

I am pleased to see the new Under-Secretary of State for Transport, my hon. Friend the Member for Wimbledon (Stephen Hammond) in his place. He has long been a friend of Wyre Forest. Four or five years ago, when he was shadow Transport Minister, he visited Wyre Forest to inaugurate...

I am pleased to see the new Under-Secretary of State for Transport, my hon. Friend the Member for Wimbledon (Stephen Hammond) in his place. He has long been a friend of Wyre Forest. Four or five years ago, when he was shadow Transport Minister, he visited Wyre Forest to inaugurate...

I congratulate my hon. Friend on securing this important debate. He says that there is a 1p price range in our region, but will he comment on the fact that in Cardiff this morning, petrol was 3p cheaper than in Redditch?

I congratulate my hon. Friend on securing this important debate. He says that there is a 1p price range in our region, but will he comment on the fact that in Cardiff this morning, petrol was 3p cheaper than in Redditch?

I am grateful to my hon. Friend and neighbour, who is also a member of the Welsh Affairs Committee, and takes a keen interest in what happens in Wales. I will come to that anomaly between cities and smaller rural towns and semi-rural areas, which is a great problem.

I am grateful to my hon. Friend and neighbour, who is also a member of the Welsh Affairs Committee, and takes a keen interest in what happens in Wales. I will come to that anomaly between cities and smaller rural towns and semi-rural areas, which is a great problem.

The hon. Gentleman has mentioned a topical and important matter in the area I represent in Northern Ireland, which is a rural community. He referred to demand and pressure in urban and rural areas. Some of my constituents must travel long distances to get to work because of where the...

The hon. Gentleman has mentioned a topical and important matter in the area I represent in Northern Ireland, which is a rural community. He referred to demand and pressure in urban and rural areas. Some of my constituents must travel long distances to get to work because of where the...

The hon. Gentleman hits the nail on the head. People living in rural communities are doubly penalised. They face not only high prices, but higher mileage because they probably have worse access to public services. I will continue to make that point throughout my speech. The hon. Gentleman was absolutely...

The hon. Gentleman hits the nail on the head. People living in rural communities are doubly penalised. They face not only high prices, but higher mileage because they probably have worse access to public services. I will continue to make that point throughout my speech. The hon. Gentleman was absolutely...

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that some retailers sell petrol and diesel with no profit, and perhaps at a loss, just to keep the small independent retailers out?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that some retailers sell petrol and diesel with no profit, and perhaps at a loss, just to keep the small independent retailers out?

I am grateful for the hon. Gentleman’s intervention. In Wyre Forest, the pricing policy of a local, independent retailer is to make a 3p per litre profit on the cost at which they buy their petrol and diesel. That is interesting, because for a great period, that retailer was substantially...

I am grateful for the hon. Gentleman’s intervention. In Wyre Forest, the pricing policy of a local, independent retailer is to make a 3p per litre profit on the cost at which they buy their petrol and diesel. That is interesting, because for a great period, that retailer was substantially...

Although it is a surprise to be here this morning, Mr Howarth, it is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, on what is my first outing representing the Government, and to respond to the debate secured by my hon. Friend the Member for Wyre Forest (Mark Garnier). I thank...

Although it is a surprise to be here this morning, Mr Howarth, it is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, on what is my first outing representing the Government, and to respond to the debate secured by my hon. Friend the Member for Wyre Forest (Mark Garnier). I thank...

Even allowing for the Government’s steps, which I very much appreciate, in 2008, the price of a barrel of oil was $147, and the price at the pump was £1.04 a litre. In 2012, the price is about $100 per barrel and the price is £1.39 a litre. I am...

Even allowing for the Government’s steps, which I very much appreciate, in 2008, the price of a barrel of oil was $147, and the price at the pump was £1.04 a litre. In 2012, the price is about $100 per barrel and the price is £1.39 a litre. I am...

The hon. Gentleman has put an interesting point about mathematics on the record. He tempts me to pre-empt the OFT investigation, which I would be ill-advised to do. I advise him and other hon. Members present to see what that investigation says. None the less, I hope that he takes...

The hon. Gentleman has put an interesting point about mathematics on the record. He tempts me to pre-empt the OFT investigation, which I would be ill-advised to do. I advise him and other hon. Members present to see what that investigation says. None the less, I hope that he takes...

Westminster Hall adjournment debate on petrol prices in Wyre Forest.

Westminster Hall adjournment debate on petrol prices in Wyre Forest.

I add my gratitude and thanks to my hon. Friend the Member for Beverley and Holderness (Mr Stuart) for the effort he has made in representing the interests of this industry. In similar terms to the aforementioned petition, I have great pleasure in bringing to the House 400 signatures from...

I add my gratitude and thanks to my hon. Friend the Member for Beverley and Holderness (Mr Stuart) for the effort he has made in representing the interests of this industry. In similar terms to the aforementioned petition, I have great pleasure in bringing to the House 400 signatures from...

Westminster Hall adjournment debate on school funding in Wyre Forest.

Westminster Hall adjournment debate on school funding in Wyre Forest.

I thank the Minister for coming along this afternoon to listen to what I believe is a very special case for Wyre Forest: its school building programme. I am very pleased to have secured this debate, as it gives me an excellent opportunity to put on record the case for...

I thank the Minister for coming along this afternoon to listen to what I believe is a very special case for Wyre Forest: its school building programme. I am very pleased to have secured this debate, as it gives me an excellent opportunity to put on record the case for...

I congratulate my hon. Friend on securing this excellent debate. I attended St John's first school and middle school, and Baxter college, so I know first hand the importance of delivering improvements and investing in schools. I would, however, politely request that, should my hon. Friend secure any investment, he...

I congratulate my hon. Friend on securing this excellent debate. I attended St John's first school and middle school, and Baxter college, so I know first hand the importance of delivering improvements and investing in schools. I would, however, politely request that, should my hon. Friend secure any investment, he...

I am very grateful for that intervention. My hon. Friend is an example of just how good the education system in Wyre Forest can be: he has come from Kidderminster to Westminster and has done very well as a newly elected Member of Parliament. He raises a very interesting point....

I am very grateful for that intervention. My hon. Friend is an example of just how good the education system in Wyre Forest can be: he has come from Kidderminster to Westminster and has done very well as a newly elected Member of Parliament. He raises a very interesting point....