Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Desmond Swayne and David Jones

Thursday 1st December 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Jones]

The Government set out a clear plan at the autumn statement for our strategic framework for the northern powerhouse. We are spending £13 billion on transport in the north, establishing Transport for the North and ensuring a statutory status. Investment in the north is very substantial indeed, and that is borne out by the improving—and, indeed, record—levels of employment in the north.

[Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)]

21. My right hon. Friend can afford to be generous and let local government spend these sums because they are trifling compared with the bonanza available to us all as a consequence of lifting the common external tariff.

[Mr Jones]

I am glad that my right hon. Friend is so supportive of Government policy in this regard. He is absolutely right. Frankly, Opposition Members would do well to be more positive about the benefits of Brexit, rather than constantly seeking to talk down the economy.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Desmond Swayne and David Jones

Thursday 20th October 2016 Commons Chamber

[Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)]

T3. Are opportunities being identified for British business that will arise from our departure?

[The Minister of State, Department for Exiting the European Union (Mr David Jones)]

My right hon. Friend raises an important point. Many hon. Members are seeking to identify the challenges associated with exiting the European Union, but there will also be a great number of opportunities, not least because we will be in charge of our own affairs and our own trade policy. For that reason, my Department and the Department for International Trade are engaging regularly with businesses not only in the United Kingdom but around the globe.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Desmond Swayne and David Jones

Wednesday 16th December 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mr Swayne]

We have invested £1.7 million in the UN vessel investigation mechanism. I hope that that will have a quantum effect on the number of vessels that are able to dock in the ports—60 last month, 55 the month before. It is getting better, but we are far, far short of what is necessary.

[Mr David Jones (Clwyd West) (Con)]

My right hon. Friend will no doubt be aware of the recent report by Save the Children that highlighted the devastating impact of the conflict on medical facilities in Yemen, with some 69 hospitals destroyed or damaged by the end of October. While one wishes the peace talks well, what can the Government do in the interim to ensure the combatants are dissuaded from targeting medical facilities?

[Mr Swayne]

My right hon. Friend is absolutely right. That report is being scrutinised and investigated. We call on all combatants to observe international law, and my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary made this point very forcefully on his recent visit.