Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jesse Norman and Stephen Crabb

Tuesday 31st January 2017 Commons Chamber

[Jesse Norman]

As I have indicated in a separate debate with the hon. Gentleman, that is a different, although related, technology. It was funded in part by the Government and has produced interesting results. This is a matter for close consideration by officials and we will continue to reflect on the matter. If he wishes to write to me further, I would be delighted to take a letter.

[Stephen Crabb (Preseli Pembrokeshire) (Con)]

One of the core objectives of the draft industrial strategy is to rebalance the UK economy, with engineering, construction and manufacturing making a larger contribution to economic growth. Does the Minister agree that if we are to achieve that objective, we will need to invest in major infrastructure projects such as the tidal lagoon?

[Jesse Norman]

I absolutely share my right hon. Friend’s view that major infrastructure investment is an important part, although only a part, of the wider overall investment that can be made in this country as part of the industrial strategy. He is right to suggest that those wider considerations must be balanced by a tempered assessment of value for money, and that is what we will be giving them.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jesse Norman and Stephen Crabb

Tuesday 8th November 2016 Commons Chamber

[Jesse Norman]

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for that helpful clarification at the end. It is widely understood that there is support for the project among many colleagues. The Government have received an early draft, but we await receipt of the final report, which is due by the end of the year. We will give it the careful consideration that such an important issue deserves.

[Stephen Crabb (Preseli Pembrokeshire) (Con)]

We have a tremendous opportunity in front of us if we are ambitious to create the world’s first tidal energy industry here in the United Kingdom. Does my hon. Friend agree that key to making this work is recognising that the Swansea project is essentially a pathfinder and that the future lagoons, which will all be larger, will bring down the costs very significantly?

[Jesse Norman]

Yes, that has been widely suggested. It is fair to say that the issues being addressed by the review are complex and relate to a new and untried technology—potentially, a place-specific technology. The Government will need to look closely at the review’s specific conclusions and how far they can be generalised as part of a wider strategy.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jesse Norman and Stephen Crabb

Wednesday 26th March 2014 Commons Chamber

[Stephen Crabb]

We have discussed VAT and tourism on several occasions at Wales questions. The fact remains that if we were to lower VAT on tourism and hospitality in the way that I think the hon. Gentleman is suggesting, somebody else has to pay the shortfall. Taxation will need to be levied elsewhere at a time when we have to bring in some revenue to make further progress on reducing the deficit.

[Jesse Norman (Hereford and South Herefordshire) (Con)]

2. What discussions he has had with the Department of Health and Ministers of the Welsh Government on facilitating access for patients from Wales and English border areas to hospital services in England.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jesse Norman and Stephen Crabb

Wednesday 9th October 2013 Commons Chamber

[Stephen Crabb]

I did not see the specific remarks of my hon. Friend the Member for Monmouth (David T. C. Davies), but we are making available to Wales more than £7 million in extra money for discretionary housing payments. On top of that, we are making money available for rural borough councils in Wales to assist with the transition. We recognise that it is a challenge and a difficult period for people going through our changes to housing benefit, but we are supporting local authorities in Wales to help Welsh people through that transition.

[Jesse Norman (Hereford and South Herefordshire) (Con)]

7. What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport about capital investment in the Cardiff to Manchester railway line.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jesse Norman and Stephen Crabb

Wednesday 3rd July 2013 Commons Chamber

[Stephen Crabb]

I thank my hon. Friend for that question and recognise the particular expertise she has developed in this area. We are always open to listening to new ideas for reforming European funding, but I hope that she will recognise the fantastic deal that British, Welsh and European taxpayers got as a result of the historic negotiated agreement to see a real-terms reduction in the EU budget for the very first time.

[Jesse Norman (Hereford and South Herefordshire) (Con)]

11. What assessment he has made of the effect of the Welsh Government’s national procurement service on suppliers based in England.