To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reason National Highways cancelled its contract with Skanska for the A46 Newark Bypass scheme; and whether the scheme remains part of the strategic roads programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reason National Highways cancelled its contract with Skanska for the A46 Newark Bypass scheme; and whether the scheme remains part of the strategic roads programme.

I wonder whether the Chancellor would order an investigation into the management of contracts between Skanska and Somerset County Council. There is evidence emerging of lazy council practices which are costing millions and millions of pounds in overpayment. We need to get to the bottom of this, and we cannot get the local county council to do it. Will the Chancellor please not only investigate, but suggest how we as MPs can force the issue before we have a complete disaster on our hands?

I wonder whether the Chancellor would order an investigation into the management of contracts between Skanska and Somerset County Council. There is evidence emerging of lazy council practices which are costing millions and millions of pounds in overpayment. We need to get to the bottom of this, and we cannot get the local county council to do it. Will the Chancellor please not only investigate, but suggest how we as MPs can force the issue before we have a complete disaster on our hands?

In my previous job as Minister for local government, I enjoyed many conversations with my hon. Friend about local government matters. He will know it is not for the Chancellor or indeed national Government to implement redress processes. There are established redress processes, which I would be happy to write to him about, so he can seek redress for his particular concerns.

In my previous job as Minister for local government, I enjoyed many conversations with my hon. Friend about local government matters. He will know it is not for the Chancellor or indeed national Government to implement redress processes. There are established redress processes, which I would be happy to write to him about, so he can seek redress for his particular concerns.

Her Majesty's Government why works in connection with HS2 and Granby Terrace bridge were transferred from the scope of the work being undertaken by Skanska Costain Strabag JV, as the main works contractors, to that of Costain Skanska JV, as the enabling works contractor.

Her Majesty's Government why works in connection with HS2 and Granby Terrace bridge were transferred from the scope of the work being undertaken by Skanska Costain Strabag JV, as the main works contractors, to that of Costain Skanska JV, as the enabling works contractor.

May I say what a double pleasure it is, Mr Gray, to serve under your chairmanship again this afternoon? I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol North West (Charlotte Leslie) on securing the debate, especially as it is her first in Westminster Hall. I also offer my congratulations...

May I say what a double pleasure it is, Mr Gray, to serve under your chairmanship again this afternoon? I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol North West (Charlotte Leslie) on securing the debate, especially as it is her first in Westminster Hall. I also offer my congratulations...

Thank you, Mr Gray. That was my first mess-up. The focus in recent weeks has been on the Building Schools for the Future programme, but I wanted to bring this debate to Westminster Hall because the mechanisms underlying that programme—local education partnerships—have been overlooked. They are public-private partnerships between local...

Thank you, Mr Gray. That was my first mess-up. The focus in recent weeks has been on the Building Schools for the Future programme, but I wanted to bring this debate to Westminster Hall because the mechanisms underlying that programme—local education partnerships—have been overlooked. They are public-private partnerships between local...

Thank you, Mr Speaker. This is my first Westminster Hall debate, so if I mess up the protocol—

Thank you, Mr Speaker. This is my first Westminster Hall debate, so if I mess up the protocol—

It gives me little pleasure to introduce this Adjournment debate, because a dark cloud hangs over the very existence of one of this country's oldest and most respected hospitals, St. Bartholomew's, known affectionately and universally as Barts. That cloud was thought by all of us who represent constituencies in central...

It gives me little pleasure to introduce this Adjournment debate, because a dark cloud hangs over the very existence of one of this country's oldest and most respected hospitals, St. Bartholomew's, known affectionately and universally as Barts. That cloud was thought by all of us who represent constituencies in central...

I am grateful that the hon. Gentleman has been graceful enough to acknowledge the role of previous Governments in casting a shadow over Barts. Does he agree that as well as serving people throughout London, Barts has a particular place in the hearts of east enders? That is why we...

I am grateful that the hon. Gentleman has been graceful enough to acknowledge the role of previous Governments in casting a shadow over Barts. Does he agree that as well as serving people throughout London, Barts has a particular place in the hearts of east enders? That is why we...

: I entirely endorse the words of the hon. Lady. Although the Homerton university hospital is closer to her constituents, Barts none the less predates it by several centuries. The same applies to the Royal London hospital and other hospitals in Newham and beyond.

: I entirely endorse the words of the hon. Lady. Although the Homerton university hospital is closer to her constituents, Barts none the less predates it by several centuries. The same applies to the Royal London hospital and other hospitals in Newham and beyond.

: I thank the hon. Lady for her words of support. I once aspired to represent a part of her constituency when I was a council candidate in Islington some 16 years ago. My candidature was not for as impoverished an area as Bunhill, but in spite of that, the...

: I thank the hon. Lady for her words of support. I once aspired to represent a part of her constituency when I was a council candidate in Islington some 16 years ago. My candidature was not for as impoverished an area as Bunhill, but in spite of that, the...

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that despite my constituency's reputation, it is one of the most deprived constituencies in Britain? Bunhill ward, which I have the pleasure of representing, is one of the poorest wards in Britain. Its coronary heart disease death rate is 60 per cent. higher than would...

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that despite my constituency's reputation, it is one of the most deprived constituencies in Britain? Bunhill ward, which I have the pleasure of representing, is one of the poorest wards in Britain. Its coronary heart disease death rate is 60 per cent. higher than would...

Is my hon. Friend aware that the hospital's patients and staff include my constituents? They are deeply concerned, because in treating cancer and heart disease, the hospital has excellent clinical outcomes. They want to see it go from strength to strength, not damaged.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the hospital's patients and staff include my constituents? They are deeply concerned, because in treating cancer and heart disease, the hospital has excellent clinical outcomes. They want to see it go from strength to strength, not damaged.

: I entirely agree with my hon. Friend. Clearly, there is a financial case, but, none the less, as he has rightly pointed out, even that begins to fall when the facts of the matter are put into place. He also touched on demand. Demand is very prevalent in the...

: I entirely agree with my hon. Friend. Clearly, there is a financial case, but, none the less, as he has rightly pointed out, even that begins to fall when the facts of the matter are put into place. He also touched on demand. Demand is very prevalent in the...

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for giving way; he has been generous with his time. Does he agree that following a discussion I had last night with five very senior consultants from the Barts and The London NHS Trust, it seems increasingly clear that the demand for cancer...

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for giving way; he has been generous with his time. Does he agree that following a discussion I had last night with five very senior consultants from the Barts and The London NHS Trust, it seems increasingly clear that the demand for cancer...

It was eight years ago that the people of the east end and Londoners generally fought a tremendous struggle to save Barts hospital. The proposals then came from a Conservative Government, and we were proud that a Labour Minister for health was able to announce that he would save Barts....

It was eight years ago that the people of the east end and Londoners generally fought a tremendous struggle to save Barts hospital. The proposals then came from a Conservative Government, and we were proud that a Labour Minister for health was able to announce that he would save Barts....

: I am grateful for those kind words from the Isle of Sheppey and beyond. This debate is about marshalling the forces among parliamentary colleagues, such as those we have heard from in the past few moments, not only to ensure the survival of this hospital but to create a...

: I am grateful for those kind words from the Isle of Sheppey and beyond. This debate is about marshalling the forces among parliamentary colleagues, such as those we have heard from in the past few moments, not only to ensure the survival of this hospital but to create a...