Asked by: Guto Bebb (Independent - Aberconwy)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to the Answer of 4 January 2018 to Question 205241, what discussions he has had Bangor University on the proposed closure of its chemistry department; and if he will he make a statement.
Answered by Alun Cairns
I share your concern around the proposed closure of the Chemistry department at Bangor University and the impact this could have on Welsh language provision of undergraduate chemistry courses.
The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Wales Nigel Adams MP has spoken with the Dean of Environmental Sciences and Engineering at Bangor University on this issue, and I am planning a number of trips to Welsh universities over the coming months. The University has provided assurances that students currently studying at the university will be unaffected and we will raise concerns of future provision with the Vice Chancellors and the Welsh Government’s Education Minister.
Asked by: Guto Bebb (Independent - Aberconwy)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what discussions he has had with representatives from Bangor University on the effect of that university's proposed closure of its chemistry department on the development of skills in North Wales as set out in the North Wales Growth Deal; and if will he make a statement.
Answered by Alun Cairns
We have regular discussions with Universities in North Wales regarding the North Wales Growth Deal, and the UK Government Minister for Wales recently visited Bangor University on 15 November 2018. However, growth deals are locally led and it is for the region to determine the impact of such developments on their proposals.
Asked by: Guto Bebb (Independent - Aberconwy)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what discussions (a) he and (b) officials in his Department have held (i) orally and (ii) in writing with the Welsh Government about the electrification of the North Wales coast mainline.
Answered by Stephen Crabb
The Wales Office has regular discussions with the Welsh Government about transport priorities in Wales, including the electrification of the North Wales main line. I am keen to continue to work with the Welsh Government and other stakeholders in North Wales to ensure that we make the strongest possible case for electrification.
Asked by: Guto Bebb (Independent - Aberconwy)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent assessment he has made of the case for electrification on the North Wales coast mainline.
Answered by Stephen Crabb
Electrification of the North Wales main line would be a significant boost to the region’s transport links, maximising the benefits to be gained from the planned high speed line between Crewe and London.
I met with business leaders in North Wales on 27 November and visited Rhyl station to discuss the importance of rail improvements to North Wales and its connections to the North of England, and my hon Friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State will over the next few weeks be meeting stakeholders in North Wales to discuss the case for investment.
Asked by: Guto Bebb (Independent - Aberconwy)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what steps his Department is taking to roll out broadband in rural constituencies in Wales.
Answered by Alun Cairns
Wales Office Ministers have met with BDUK to discuss the roll out of superfast broadband in rural areas in Wales following £69 million being provided to the Welsh Government to support their programme – Superfast Cymru. In addition to this, BDUK is currently piloting a £10 million project to test new ways of delivering broadband to hard to reach areas and this includes a project in Wales. It is Superfast Cymru, a joint Welsh Government/BT programme, which chose the areas that should be prioritised.
Asked by: Guto Bebb (Independent - Aberconwy)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many start-up business loans have been awarded in (a) Aberconwy constituency and (b) Wales to date.
Answered by Stephen Crabb
As part of our long-term economic plan, start-up loans have been offered to entrepreneurs to kick-start and grow their businesses. Two start-up loans have been awarded to businesses in the constituency of Aberconwy with a total value of £10,500. Across Wales as a whole, 602 start-up loans have been awarded with a total value of just over £3.8 million.
Asked by: Guto Bebb (Independent - Aberconwy)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent discussions he has had with Ofcom on partial not-spots and the use of passive infrastructure sharing in those areas.
Answered by Alun Cairns
The Wales Office has regular discussions with Ofcom about improving mobile coverage across Wales. The UK Government is considering a number of options for improving coverage in partial not-spot areas, including passive infrastructure sharing and national roaming.
Asked by: Guto Bebb (Independent - Aberconwy)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent assessment he has made of the success of UK Trade & Investment in relation to Welsh exports; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by David Jones
UK Trade & Investment provides invaluable support for Welsh businesses looking to gain access to international markets. It is encouraging that the recent trends show Welsh exports outperforming the other nations and regions in the UK, with the value of Welsh exports increasing by 9.9 per cent over the past year compared to 0.5 per cent across the UK as a whole.