Oral Answers to Questions

Chris Elmore Excerpts

Wednesday 23rd January 2019 Commons Chamber

[Angela Crawley (Lanark and Hamilton East) (SNP)]

1. What assessment he has made of the potential effect of the EU withdrawal agreement on Wales.

[Chris Elmore (Ogmore) (Lab)]

9. What assessment he has made of the potential effect on the Welsh economy of the EU withdrawal agreement.

[Hywel Williams (Arfon) (PC)]

13. What assessment he has made of the potential effect on Wales of the EU withdrawal agreement.

--- Later in debate ---

[Alun Cairns]

In the first instance, I remind the hon. Lady that Wales voted to leave the European Union in even stronger numbers than the rest of the United Kingdom. The withdrawal agreement sets out the basis on which, and how, we will leave the European Union. In the light of last week’s votes, we are determined to make amendments and to develop a document in consultation with colleagues across the House in order to win the House of Commons’ support.

[Chris Elmore]

May I associate myself with the Secretary of State’s comments about Steffan Lewis? He and I worked together as young researchers in the National Assembly for Wales. We must remember the words of our colleague Jo Cox that we do have a lot more in common across this House and across the devolved institutions.

Will the Secretary of State simply rule out now, and make representations to the Prime Minister to rule out, no deal, so that the automotive industry in Bridgend—Ford in Bridgend employs many of my constituents—can have certainty beyond March? This continuing planning for no deal is providing no certainty to anybody.

[Alun Cairns]

I would say to the hon. Gentleman that the best way of avoiding no deal is obviously to get a deal. It was interesting that the hon. Gentleman voted against the deal last week. We will continue to engage across the House and with the devolved Administrations, and we are optimistic that we will continue to make amendments to the document that will gain a deal with the European Union.