Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether he has been invited to attend the Department for International Trade's Ministerial Forum for Trade with the devolved administrations planned for January 2020.
Answered by Simon Hart - Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip)
DIT is establishing the Ministerial Forum for Trade to ensure that the views of the Devolved Administrations are taken into consideration as we establish our independent trade policy. Territorial Office Ministers will be invited to meetings of the Forum by the Chair, as appropriate, including the inaugural meeting. The Secretary of State for Wales attends a wide range of events and meetings to ensure that UKG policy delivers for Wales, including trade policy.
Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what progress he has made on the joint investigations by the UK and Welsh Governments into the Swansea Bay City Deal.
Answered by Alun Cairns
Actica Consulting were appointed by the UK and Welsh Governments to undertake the Joint Independent Review of the Swansea Bay City Region City Deal in January 2019. The review is currently underway and I expect to receive the final report by the end of February.
Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what discussions he has had with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on representations received by the UK Government from the Welsh Government on increasing borrowing capacity to fund the M4 relief road.
Answered by Alun Cairns
I have frequent discussions with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on a wide range of issues. I was pleased that the Chancellor was able to announce at Budget a review of the Welsh Government’s capital borrowing powers to consider whether the borrowing cap should be increased by up to £300m to support this vital project.