Martin has questioned the Justice Secretary, Chris Grayling, on the use of judicial review in preventing important development projects.
Martin asked the question with the Able UK application for the Humber Marine Energy Park in mind - a project with the potential to create 4,000 jobs.
Martin said:
"A development that has the potential to create 4,000 jobs in my constituency is being further delayed by judicial review, despite it being approved at local, ministerial and parliamentary level. Does my right hon. Friend agree that the use of judicial review in such circumstances should be curtailed?"
The Justice Secretary responded stating the Government is trying to stop the abuse of judicial review:
"That is precisely what we are trying to stop. My hon. Friend makes the valid point that those opposed to essential developments in our country are able to use judicial review, on technicalities, to try to prevent them from going ahead or to delay them. It does nobody any favours that that can happen. It uses up huge amounts of taxpayers’ money, it wastes the time of essential projects and project teams, and it must change."
Martin was impressed with the Secretary of State's response, declaring it: "reassuring."