Where operators can deliver more for passengers by having more certainty, there is certainly a case to be made for looking at those contract terms and giving them longer. This would not reverse nationalisation.

The first phase of east-west rail is ready for opening next year. Winslow station looks superb, and I am excited to see rail services come back there. On the second phase from Bletchley to Bedford, money has been allocated from the last Budget to deliver that.

The Minister thanks the Chair and notes that the technology will bring huge benefits, including the end of putting liquids into plastic bags. Implementation is already being phased in with many airports having trialled the scanners and successfully phasing them in towards a June 2024 deadline.

The Secretary of State has visited many airports to discuss upgrading airport security, seen new security equipment in operation, and met Heathrow's chief executive recently. He will continue these discussions, including a meeting with representatives from the aviation sector soon and one with the Airport Operators Association immediately after this session.

The phase 1 benefit-cost ratio for HS2 captured some benefits of released capacity but did not include all new service benefits. The rail Minister will be happy to discuss this further with the hon. Friend.

I am sure that my hon. Friend's question was prompted by one airline making some modest changes to its flight schedule during the summer. No other airline has indicated to the Department that it will be cancelling flights ahead of the summer. We will continue to engage with airlines on that matter. The Aviation Minister is meeting with the chief executive officer of EasyJet later today to discuss its announcement. My team is meeting with the CEO of National Air Traffic Services to get an update on its operational readiness. We have already worked with the aviation industry to make sure that, this year, it is prepared for the busy summer period so that we avoid the problems that we had last year. We have received appropriate assurances, but I hope that we can reassure those whom my hon. Friend referred to in his question.

The hon. Gentleman will know that we have set out a significant amount of rail investment. We will be investing £40 billion overall across the transport portfolio over the next two years, and we do have to make choices about how to spend that money sensibly.

Aware of calls for CfDs, the Government is working on not merely the mandate but a clearing house to support testing and certification. The mandate remains the current policy focus.

I am keen to make changes work. Aware of timetable changes on 11 December which made it difficult to assess whether changes are working due to weather and industrial action.

Over the coming weeks my colleagues and I will look at priorities across capital projects. We will set them out in the House in due course, and I note his bid for East West Rail.

We will consider the report with interest and pay tribute to my hon. Friend as a long-standing champion of the East West Rail connection, recognising its importance for international competitiveness and UK economy growth. The first section is already in construction and next steps on later stages will be set out shortly.

Oxford, Cambridge, and Milton Keynes are part of a globally significant area with world-leading technology, life sciences, and space sectors. The Government is committed to working with local authorities and stakeholders to unlock growth. East West Rail's first section is in construction and will bring benefits to the constituency in 2025.

I have met the excellent police and crime commissioner, to whom my hon. Friend refers, on two occasions now—perhaps more—and I really welcome all initiatives that show measurable impacts against violent crime. I am determined that interventions that are proven to work are delivered across our forces. I am also a big supporter of violence reduction units. I am very keen to look at the verified results of Operation Deter, alongside all innovative approaches. I am clear that all options should be explored and that we should support operations that work.

Before I answer, on behalf of the UK may I pass on my thoughts and prayers to all those affected by the terrible attack in Istanbul yesterday? I am sure that the whole House will join me, on behalf of the UK Government, in saying that the UK stands with Turkey in the fight against terrorism. We send our condolences to all those affected. Last month, I visited Thames Valley police to meet the chief constable, force leaders and student officers. A number of topics were discussed, including the delivery of Operation Deter. I am always keen to discuss interventions that the chief constable and local partners believe to be effective in reducing knife crime.

I am examining MG Alba's proposals in detail and trying to decide whether the Media Bill is the best mechanism or if issues are better addressed through the BBC funding review. I assure my hon. Friend that I am engaged in these issues.

My officials have been in regular contact with MG Alba since their CEO raised issues of sustainability and provided detailed proposals. I am examining whether the forthcoming Media Bill is the best mechanism or if the issues are better addressed through the future funding review of the BBC and subsequent charter review.

Before I answer the question, I would like to thank my hon Friend for his diligent and excellent work in the Scotland Office. He made a huge impact, and I absolutely thank him from the bottom of my heart. In answering my hon Friend's question, the Government are committed to boosting economic growth in all areas of Scotland. We will use all the levers at our disposal to do so, and we will do that in partnership with the Scottish Government, as we are doing with freeports. Hopefully, that will also include investment zones—discussions are ongoing between officials—and I hope that those who are unsuccessful in their freeport bids can apply for investment zone status, which will help them to increase their economic activity.