Oral Answers to Questions Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: Wales Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Andrew Miller Excerpts
Wednesday 27th June 2012

(12 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Robert Halfon Portrait Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con)
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

4. What recent assessment she has made of the economy in Wales; and if she will make a statement.

Andrew Miller Portrait Andrew Miller (Ellesmere Port and Neston) (Lab)
- Hansard - -

5. What discussions she has had with Welsh Government Ministers on the economic outlook for Wales.

Cheryl Gillan Portrait The Secretary of State for Wales (Mrs Cheryl Gillan)
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

I have regular discussions with Welsh Government Ministers about the prospects of the Welsh economy and the need for closer working to help create the right environment for jobs, growth and prosperity.

--- Later in debate ---
Andrew Miller Portrait Andrew Miller
- Hansard - -

The Secretary of State talks about creating the right environment, and I agree with her on that. She will also recognise that in north-east Wales, Cheshire and the Wirral there is a common travel-to-work area. Will she put her support behind the campaign to improve and upgrade the Wrexham to Bidston line, as that would help to service that travel-to-work area and create the right environment?

Cheryl Gillan Portrait Mrs Gillan
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

The hon. Gentleman and I used to serve on the Select Committee on Science and Technology together, and I know that he is a constant champion for improving the travel arrangements in and around his area of the country. I have always supported the Wrexham to Bidston line, but I have always prioritised the electrification of the valleys lines and of course that unfinished business of getting the electrification down to Swansea. The electrification of the Wrexham to Bidston line would be close behind that.