Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Jones and Andrew Stephenson

Thursday 27th April 2017 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Stephenson (Pendle) (Con)]

T7. Pendle is home to a cluster of outstanding aerospace businesses, including Euravia, Senior Aerospace Weston, Merc Aerospace, T&R Precision Engineering and, of course, the crown jewel, Rolls-Royce in Barnoldswick. Does my right hon. Friend agree that the sector is absolutely vital to the UK economy, and will he assure this House that it will have a strong voice in the negotiations under a Conservative Government?

[Mr David Jones]

May I say that Pendle has a strong voice going into the general election? Aerospace is a key industry for this country, which is why, as I said earlier, we have paid so much close attention to it. We will make sure that we continue to have the most important aerospace industry in Europe.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Jones and Andrew Stephenson

Thursday 9th March 2017 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Stephenson (Pendle) (Con)]

What discussions has the Department had with representatives of the tourism sector on the implications of the UK leaving the EU?

[Mr David Jones]

We regularly engage with the tourism industry, and we will continue to do so. Tourism is an important part of the British economy, and we fully recognise its particular concerns.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Jones and Andrew Stephenson

Thursday 1st December 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Jones]

As the hon. Lady will know, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor has absolutely guaranteed the continuance of support for such programmes to 2020. She has to bear it in mind that the European Commission itself will not be making its own consideration of any future schemes until that time. We will of course take very seriously the issues that she mentions, but at this stage I cannot confirm anything.

[Andrew Stephenson (Pendle) (Con)]

23. Rolls-Royce is one of the largest employers in my constituency and aerospace is of critical importance to the north-west economy. Will my right hon. Friend assure me that the concerns of the aerospace sector will remain one of his top priorities?

[Mr Jones]

Yes. We fully acknowledge the importance of the aerospace sector, which is a major employer in his constituency and in many other parts of the country. It is very clear to us that, for example, integrated supply chains are important to that industry, which is why we are engaging extremely closely with the industry. Indeed, I had meetings earlier this week.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr David Jones]

Our intention is to seek the best possible access to the European market, and to provide similar access for Europeans to this market. That is the basis upon which we are approaching the negotiations.

[Andrew Stephenson (Pendle) (Con)]

T9. Those working in Rolls-Royce in Barnoldswick and elsewhere in my constituency benefit from employment rights that in many cases are ahead of those elsewhere in the European Union. Will the Minister confirm that they will remain in place from the point when we leave the EU?

[Mr Jones]

I can confirm that. We had a debate very recently in which that point was reiterated several times.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Jones and Andrew Stephenson

Wednesday 16th January 2013 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Stephenson (Pendle) (Con)]

9. What recent assessment he has made of the aerospace industry in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

[The Secretary of State for Wales (Mr David Jones)]

The aerospace industry plays a key role in the Welsh economy, and Wales benefits from the continued investment made by major aerospace companies such as Airbus and GE Aviation.

[Andrew Stephenson]

I thank the Secretary of State for that answer. Will he join me in welcoming Air Asia’s £5.5 billion purchase of 100 A320 aeroplanes from Airbus? That will be good news for the aerospace sector in Wales and in my constituency, where there are several aerospace companies with Airbus contracts.

[Mr Jones]

Yes. I was pleased to go with my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to witness the signing of that contract. It represents a tremendous boost to the factory at Broughton. It will secure the jobs of 1,500 workers, as well as of those in the wider supply chain.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Jones and Andrew Stephenson

Wednesday 28th November 2012 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Stephenson (Pendle) (Con)]

1. What recent discussions he has had with his ministerial colleagues on the prospects for the energy generation sector in Wales.

[The Secretary of State for Wales (Mr David Jones)]

Before I answer the question, Mr Speaker, with your permission I would like to express my sympathy—and, I am sure, that of the whole House—for the victims of the flooding in north Wales and our thanks for the hard work of the emergency services. I propose to visit the affected area tomorrow.

I have regular discussions with ministerial colleagues on the prospects for the energy generation sector in Wales, particularly in relation to the recent good news that Horizon Nuclear Power has been bought by Hitachi, helping to secure the future for new nuclear on Anglesey.

[Andrew Stephenson]

I thank my right hon. Friend for that answer and join him in paying tribute to our emergency services. On the specific issue of nuclear power, in my constituency of Pendle we have the excellent Graham Engineering, which is part of the nuclear supply chain and supports more than 300 local jobs. In light what he has just said about the Hitachi-Horizon announcement and nuclear generation in Wales, can he say more about supply chain job creation in both Wales and other parts of the UK?

[Mr Jones]

The announcement by Hitachi provides an enormous opportunity for all those involved in the nuclear industry in this country, particularly those in the supply chain. I am heartened that Hitachi has already said that up to 60% of the total cost of the first nuclear reactor will come from British content. I have no doubt that there is a tremendous opportunity for companies such as those in my hon. Friend’s constituency.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Jones and Andrew Stephenson

Wednesday 16th March 2011 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Stephenson (Pendle) (Con)]

3. What recent discussions she has had with ministerial colleagues on expenditure on broadband projects in Wales.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr David Jones)]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have regular meetings with ministerial colleagues on issues that affect Wales, including broadband projects. I am sure my hon. Friend will welcome, as I do, the announcement by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 10 February that we are providing £10 million of funding to support the extension of superfast broadband to Pwllheli and the surrounding areas.

[Andrew Stephenson]

I thank my right hon. Friend. Does she agree that due to the remote and rural nature of many parts of Wales—like many parts of my constituency—it is vital for businesses in rural communities to have effective broadband?

[Mr Jones]

Yes, I agree that broadband is extremely important for rural communities. Indeed, it is arguably more important in the countryside than in our towns and cities. It enables people to run businesses from rural locations with no competitive disadvantage, and farmers in particular urgently need broadband to file their returns.