Oral Answers to Questions

Caroline Nokes Excerpts

Wednesday 13th July 2016 Commons Chamber

[Glyn Davies (Montgomeryshire) (Con)]

7. What recent assessment he has made of the contribution of the farming sector to the economy in Wales.

[Caroline Nokes (Romsey and Southampton North) (Con)]

11. What recent assessment he has made of the contribution of the farming sector to the economy in Wales.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Guto Bebb)]

The farming sector is the economic backbone of the Welsh rural economy. The total income from farming in Wales is estimated at more than £175 million, but more important is the contribution that Welsh agriculture makes to our rural communities. It is crucial and this Government will continue to support it. [Interruption.]

--- Later in debate ---

[Guto Bebb]

I agree completely with my hon. Friend that any delays in payments to the farming community are problematic. This issue is devolved to the Welsh Government and it is one I have already discussed with farming unions. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will be at the Royal Welsh next week, subject to the decisions of the next Prime Minister, and meetings have been arranged with farming unions at that event, which is undoubtedly the premier farming event of the whole United Kingdom.

[Caroline Nokes]

Welsh, and indeed British, farmers are responsible for producing some of the finest food in the world. Now that we are to leave the EU, what effort is my hon. Friend making to make sure that the Department ensures that all of the UK’s fantastic home-grown produce is promoted to international markets?

Oral Answers to Questions

Caroline Nokes Excerpts

Wednesday 11th May 2011 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

The hon. Gentleman says that the referendum on the alternative vote was something nobody wanted, but I have to remind him that it was in his manifesto. I know that it was a pretty turgid document, and he might want to have a word with the author about how to improve things next time, but I would recommend reading the manifesto before you stand for the party.

[Caroline Nokes (Romsey and Southampton North) (Con)]

Q15. Given the high demand from the public to attend the consultation events on the future of children’s cardiac services in Southampton, will my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister join me in calling for additional events so that the maximum number of people in the wider Southampton area can participate?

[The Prime Minister]

I certainly agree with my hon. Friend, and in the review of child cardiac services—this affects my constituency as well as hers, and people are talking about how Southampton and Oxford should work together—I think that there should be as many events as people want to go to, as much transparency as possible and, if specialisation is necessary, as much explanation as possible about why it is necessary and why it is good for patients. In the end that must be the test of everything we do in the NHS.