Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Transport

Oral Answers to Questions

Heather Wheeler Excerpts
Thursday 6th February 2014

(10 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord McLoughlin Portrait Mr McLoughlin
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What is important is the way in which we have massively increased the number of apprenticeships. Part of today’s announcement about Bombardier means that there will be an increase in apprenticeships in that area, and I am looking at every possible avenue to encourage apprenticeships.

Heather Wheeler Portrait Heather Wheeler (South Derbyshire) (Con)
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Again, may I congratulate Ministers on the brilliant result of Bombardier getting the Crossrail deal and the 80 apprentices that that contract will bring? Would it not make complete sense for this academy to be based in Derby?

Lord McLoughlin Portrait Mr McLoughlin
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As I said to my hon. Friend the Member for Brigg and Goole (Andrew Percy), there will be a number of applications for the location of this academy. I join my hon. Friend the Member for South Derbyshire (Heather Wheeler) in congratulating Bombardier, which won this Crossrail contract against some stiff competition. It just shows that Bombardier can win competitions for rolling stock and that the Government are committed to providing that rolling stock, too.