Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Wales Office

Oral Answers to Questions

David Jones Excerpts
Wednesday 13th January 2016

(8 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Alun Cairns Portrait Alun Cairns
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The right hon. Gentleman will be well aware of the rail transport summit that was held in north Wales last year. It talked about how we can best bring forward a bid to modernise the railway infrastructure across north Wales, and we look forward to that bid coming forward. Only last week I spoke to the chair of the north Wales economic ambition board to discuss the progress of that project.

David Jones Portrait Mr David Jones (Clwyd West) (Con)
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When I have previously questioned my hon. Friend and his colleague about the potential benefits to north Wales of the northern powerhouse, I have been disappointed to be told of a total lack of engagement on the part of the Welsh Assembly Government. Will my hon. Friend say whether they have changed their stance and are now more plugged in to the process?

Alun Cairns Portrait Alun Cairns
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I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for championing the benefits of the northern powerhouse. What is clear is that business sees the benefits. Local authorities also see the benefits. We encourage the Welsh Government to engage positively, because business does not recognise the administrative boundaries between the two.