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.