Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Wales Office

Oral Answers to Questions

David Jones Excerpts
Wednesday 25th May 2016

(8 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Alun Cairns Portrait Alun Cairns
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My hon. Friend is of course failing to recognise that independent forecasters—whether the IMF, the OECD or the Governor of the Bank of England—have talked about the negative impact Brexit would have on the Welsh economy. A £2 billion reduction in the scale of the economy, costing 24,000 jobs, is a step we cannot afford to take.

David Jones Portrait Mr David Jones (Clwyd West) (Con)
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Is it the case that Wales Office special advisers recently had a meeting with representatives of the Britain Stronger in Europe campaign, and if so, what did they discuss?

Alun Cairns Portrait Alun Cairns
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We of course discuss a range of issues that affect the Welsh economy. A Brexit vote would of course affect the Welsh economy in a negative way, with a £2 billion cost to the Welsh economy, costing 24,000 jobs. As we speak, we are seeing some spectacular employment data, but they are based on strong economic foundations and access to 500 million customers across Europe.