Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Eric Ollerenshaw and Vince Cable

Thursday 11th September 2014 Commons Chamber

[Vince Cable]

I think we all share the views that have been expressed across the House: that the United Kingdom is better together for a whole variety of reasons. The green investment bank is functioning very successfully with its current headquarters and operations. I think it has disbursed approaching £1 billion in a wide variety of projects from offshore wind to street lighting systems in Glasgow. It is a very successful initiative of this Government and I trust it will remain so.

[Eric Ollerenshaw (Lancaster and Fleetwood) (Con)]

T4. Given the importance of superfast broadband to businesses in both rural and urban communities, what is the Department doing about BT’s near-monopoly in contracts, which is leading to BT now missing out whole villages and even sections of Lancaster city in my constituency of Lancaster and Fleetwood?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Eric Ollerenshaw and Vince Cable

Thursday 18th July 2013 Commons Chamber

[Vince Cable]

This is indeed a very successful industry. Over the last couple of years, we have had commitments to something in the order of £6 billion-worth of new investment. One factor has undoubtedly been the confidence that the Government are fully supportive of the industry and are working with it through the Automotive Council. The confidence factor is indeed spreading into the supply chain. There are very good economic reasons why a significant amount of the supply chain that has been offshored should now be onshored—and that process is beginning. We want to do everything we can to encourage it.

[Eric Ollerenshaw (Lancaster and Fleetwood) (Con)]

3. What recent assessment he has made of the performance of the regional growth fund.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Eric Ollerenshaw and Vince Cable

Thursday 21st March 2013 Commons Chamber

[Vince Cable]

We certainly would not want to see that happen again. I have to say that I am a little surprised to be given a lecture on this, having seen the housing bubble that developed 10 years ago and got completely out of control and did so much damage. Clearly, the intention of the stimulus announced yesterday is to provide supply as well as demand in the housing market.

[Eric Ollerenshaw (Lancaster and Fleetwood) (Con)]

T9. Lancaster is an excellent university town, and we have a high number of creative and innovative entrepreneurs. What additional help can we get from the Department to provide them with the right marketing, financial and manufacturing advice to help them to get their products to market?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Eric Ollerenshaw and Vince Cable

Thursday 20th December 2012 Commons Chamber

[Vince Cable]

The business bank has already been established, and it will be up and running next year. Of course, the full clearance of European state aid, which is a necessary formality for certain kinds of lending, will take longer. I acknowledge the role of Aldermore and other banks, such as Metro and Handelsbanken, which is very important. This bank will complement and support them.

[Eric Ollerenshaw (Lancaster and Fleetwood) (Con)]

T3. Does the Minister agree that it is the wide range of educational provision in the higher education sector that really benefits young people, and if so, what is he doing to increase the diversity of that provision?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Eric Ollerenshaw and Vince Cable

Thursday 6th September 2012 Commons Chamber

[Eric Ollerenshaw (Lancaster and Fleetwood) (Con)]

T6. What is being done to assist exporters, particularly in the north-west, to achieve results that match those of the best, such as Fisherman’s Friend in my constituency, which exports 97% of its products to more than 100 countries?

[Vince Cable]

Until I heard the hon. Gentleman’s question, I thought Fleetwood was primarily famous for its football team, which has just got back into the Football League. I will make an effort to visit Fleetwood. I am delighted to hear of the success of Fisherman’s Friend, which I consume a great deal of. I had not realised it was an export firm, but we will do everything we can to promote it overseas.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Eric Ollerenshaw and Vince Cable

Thursday 14th October 2010 Commons Chamber

[Vince Cable]

We very much believe in the free trade of ideas, and we want Britain to be open. We are looking at the moment at how we can reconcile this with the coalition’s policy to maintain a cap on non-EU migration.

[Eric Ollerenshaw (Lancaster and Fleetwood) (Con)]

T8. Cumbria university, which has one of its largest campuses in the Lancaster part of my constituency, has experienced a number of financial and managerial problems over the past few years. Can the Minister comment on the university’s viability, given its new business plan?