(Darlington) (Con): In
1825, Locomotion No. 1 pulled the first passenger train over
Skerne bridge in Darlington, marking the birth of the modern
railway. Ever since, Darlington has had a unique connection to
the railways that made Britain great. Does my right hon. Friend
agree that we should celebrate the ingenuity of our Victorian
ancestors by establishing the headquarters of Great British
Railways in Darlington? Due to the extent of
interest from hon. Members on both sides of the House in their
constituencies hosting it, may we please have a debate in
Government time?
Mr Rees-Mogg: Talking about early railway journeys always
makes me nervous because we all remember that Huskisson, who was
President of the Board of Trade at the time, unfortunately
stepped the wrong way on the track and was run down by an early
railway experiment.
However, my hon. Friend is right to ask me of all people to
celebrate our Victorian forebears. I share a birthday with Her
Majesty Queen Victoria, 24 May, which used to be a public holiday
as Empire Day. Talking of birthdays, I have not yet wished the
Chief Whip a happy birthday. Mr Speaker, did you know it is the
anniversary of that distinguished gentleman’s birth?
Mr Speaker
I did, and I have already congratulated him.
Mr Rees-Mogg
We wish the Chief Whip many happy returns.
The spirit of Barry, Brunel and Bazalgette should be the guiding
inspiration behind the Prime Minister’s levelling-up agenda. The
Government are embarking on the biggest investment in our railway
infrastructure, with £96 billion of taxpayers’ money being spent
through the integrated rail plan. There will be £105 million
spent on Darlington station thanks, at least in part, to the
excellent campaigning work of my hon. Friend the Member for
Darlington ().
The Great British
Railways transition team is running a competition
to identify where the national headquarters will be.
Unfortunately I am not allowed to have favourites, otherwise I
might suggest it goes to Midsomer Norton, which is mentioned in
Flanders and Swann’s song “On the Slow Train.” As I am not
allowed to be partial, may I wish Darlington and my hon. Friend
every success?
