Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Greg Hands and Tom Pursglove

Thursday 9th February 2017 Commons Chamber

[Tom Pursglove (Corby) (Con)]

As the Secretary of State knows, UK steel is the best in the world. What opportunities does he envisage to promote the sale of it around the world?

[Greg Hands]

We take an ongoing and strong interest in the steel sector. It faces difficulties at present because of the low global steel price, but we see a good future for UK steel, and the Department looks forward to taking part in a whole-of-Government approach to ensuring that it is sold abroad.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Greg Hands and Tom Pursglove

Tuesday 21st July 2015 Commons Chamber

[Tom Pursglove (Corby) (Con)]

4. What steps he is taking to support the creation of new enterprise zones.

[The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Greg Hands)]

In the summer Budget we announced the opening of the bidding round for a new wave of enterprise zones throughout England. This round will focus on ensuring that all places in England can benefit from the programme, including rural areas where appropriate, and the Government encourage towns and districts to work with local enterprise partnerships to develop bids. Details of the application process will be released in due course.

[Tom Pursglove]

I thank the Chief Secretary for his answer. I can advise that, in Corby, we are busily getting together to put in a bid. Corby is also taking in very considerable housing growth. Does he agree that areas that are taking in such growth should also receive the benefit of new jobs and new infrastructure?

[Greg Hands]

I thank my hon. Friend for his question. He is of course right. During the course of the previous Parliament, the performance of the programme improved, and it was absolutely right to create strong incentives for local areas to take part. That was consistent with our long-term economic plan. We are looking forward to examining his case for an enterprise zone in his Corby constituency in due course.