Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Wales Office

Oral Answers to Questions

David Jones Excerpts
Wednesday 16th September 2015

(8 years, 7 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Stephen Crabb Portrait Stephen Crabb
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The hon. Lady knows, because we discussed this on Monday, that I share her excitement and enthusiasm about the prospect of a spaceport coming to Llanbedr in her constituency. The Government are looking at various sites and various options, but I am in discussions with my colleagues at the Department for Transport about how we can secure that facility potentially for Wales.

David Jones Portrait Mr David Jones (Clwyd West) (Con)
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9. What assessment he has made of the potential effect on north Wales of the northern powerhouse.

Alun Cairns Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Alun Cairns)
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The northern powerhouse is a fantastic opportunity for north Wales. My hon. Friend will appreciate that there is significant economic and business value in strengthening links in the region.

David Jones Portrait Mr Jones
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Will my hon. Friend say whether Welsh Ministers are engaging positively with the United Kingdom Government in pursuing the northern powerhouse agenda, or are they maintaining their customary position that nothing that happens in Cheshire is of any interest to the people of Flintshire?

Alun Cairns Portrait Alun Cairns
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My right hon. Friend makes an important point. I must admit that I was disappointed with the Welsh Government’s attitude to the northern powerhouse, highlighting what they said was lowly aspiration and offering only trickle-down benefits to north Wales. The reality is that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor’s plans for the northern powerhouse are about building a strong economy and a strong United Kingdom.