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Local Transport Bill [Lords]

The hon. Lady said earlier today that she and her colleagues will test the relevant clauses strongly in Committee, to do all that they can to ensure that no such circumvention is possible and the funds stay local and remain devoted to transport. That is not simply saying, ““I want to keep the Government on the hook””; it is saying, ““Our policy is to have these local funds kept locally.”” That might be a good idea, but it is hypothecation. The Conservative party has embraced hypothecation, certainly on transport. That is a new policy from its Front Bench, and when I heard it I was somewhat taken aback—and I was further taken aback when I was told that it was not hypothecation. All Labour Members were a bit surprised when the hon. Lady said that. The Bill is welcome. It will be welcomed in metropolitan areas such as the west midlands, and it is sad that Her Majesty's Opposition have a policy which is a complete shambles and full of contradictions. It demonstrates once again that they are not fit for Government.