Oral Answers to Questions

George Kerevan Excerpts

Wednesday 25th January 2017 Commons Chamber

[Kirsten Oswald (East Renfrewshire) (SNP)]

7. What assessment he has made of the potential effect on jobs in Wales of the UK leaving the EU single market.

[George Kerevan (East Lothian) (SNP)]

9. What assessment he has made of the potential effect on jobs in Wales of the UK leaving the EU single market.

[The Secretary of State for Wales (Alun Cairns)]

Since the vote to leave the EU, we have seen employment hit record highs, and there are now 4,000 fewer people unemployed than six months ago. Trade with the EU is important to Wales, but it is clear that we need to increase our trade with the fastest-growing markets across the world. It is time for Wales, like Britain, to rediscover its role as a great global trading nation.

--- Later in debate ---

[George Kerevan]

North Wales has been designated the central maintenance centre for all European F-35 fighters. Can the Minister assure the House that the aerospace companies in north Wales will be given the same assurances as Nissan that leaving the single market will not result in tariff barriers or a loss of access to European skilled labour?

[Alun Cairns]

I am delighted that the hon. Gentleman highlights the success of Sealand in winning the F-35 contract. It will be the global repair hub. I was there on Monday celebrating and recognising the effects and the impact that employees had on winning that global contract. The significance should not be understated. It offers positive prospects for the supply chain and that centre for decades to come.