Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Wales Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Jonathan Edwards Excerpts
Wednesday 13th July 2016

(8 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Guto Bebb Portrait Guto Bebb
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The meetings that we are having in north Wales have been with council leaders, further education leaders and leaders of Welsh businesses, and I am glad to say that they have involved both male and female leaders. The key point is that our approach in north Wales is inclusive and supported by all stakeholders. People realise the potential of north Wales joining the northern powerhouse for the benefit of all the residents of north Wales.

Jonathan Edwards Portrait Jonathan Edwards (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr) (PC)
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Exports are central to any rebalancing strategy. Unlike the British state, which has a gigantic trade deficit, Wales has a significant trade surplus. It is the best performing component of the UK. What assessment has the Minister made of the number of countries across the world to which Welsh companies export, and the number of trade deals that will therefore have to be renegotiated? Does he not realise that tariff-free access to the single market is vital to the Welsh economy and that—

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. We are grateful to the hon. Gentleman. We have got his drift.