Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Karen Lumley and David Jones

Wednesday 14th May 2014 Commons Chamber

[Karen Lumley (Redditch) (Con)]

6. What discussions he has had with his Cabinet colleagues and others on transport investment in Wales.

[The Secretary of State for Wales (Mr David Jones)]

I have regular discussions with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport and key stakeholders across Wales and firmly believe that improving transport infrastructure is a key facilitator of economic growth.

[Karen Lumley]

Does the Secretary of State agree that the Welsh Assembly Government should do their bit in electrifying the South Wales line, as they promised?

[Mr Jones]

Certainly, the electrification of the South Wales line is important for Cardiff and Swansea and the stations between. We are willing and anxious to perform our part of the bargain that we struck in July 2012. I have had recent discussions with both my right hon. Friend and the Welsh Minister for Economy, Science and Transport, and I hope that we can find a way forward.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Karen Lumley and David Jones

Wednesday 12th February 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Jones]

The First Minister clearly did take his eye off the ball. The recent programme for international student assessment—PISA—ratings show the extent to which the Welsh educational system is failing. That is because the Welsh Government are pursuing a course that does not mirror the improvements we are making in England, and I very much hope that the new Welsh Minister for Education and Skills will learn from the reforms we are implementing.

[Karen Lumley (Redditch) (Con)]

12. My two children were educated in Wrexham in their early years. Does the Secretary of State share my concern about the PISA league tables, which he mentioned? What discussions is he having with the Welsh Assembly Government to try to ensure the very best education for all our children in Wales?

[Mr Jones]

The Welsh Minister for Education and Skills has apologised for the failings of the Welsh Government, and that is a good start. However, they ought to examine the reforms we are implementing in England and give serious consideration to emulating them.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Karen Lumley and David Jones

Wednesday 8th January 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Jones]

The hon. Gentleman will know that the franchise of Severn crossings will continue until 2017-18. After that, the maintenance of the bridge will have to be considered, but I know that the Department for Transport is keenly aware of the issues he raises.

[Karen Lumley (Redditch) (Con)]

14. Good transport links are essential to provide opportunities for investment into Wales. Will my right hon. Friend update the House on the discussions he has had with the Welsh Assembly Government on updating road and rail links into north Wales, especially upgrading the A55?

[Mr Jones]

I have regular discussions with both the Welsh Government and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport on this issue. A business case is already being worked up, I hope, for electrification of the north Wales coast line, and I have already referred to the issue of roads.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Karen Lumley and David Jones

Wednesday 9th October 2013 Commons Chamber

[Karen Lumley (Redditch) (Con)]

1. What recent assessment he has made of the effects of the Government’s economic policies on Wales.

[The Secretary of State for Wales (Mr David Jones)]

Our economic strategy is designed to equip Wales and the United Kingdom with the tools they need to succeed in the global race, and to secure a stronger economy and a fairer society.

[Karen Lumley]

With the deficit down by a third and employment at record levels, does the Secretary of State agree that it is time for the Labour party to admit that our economic policy is working, not only in Redditch, but in Wales?

[Mr Jones]

Indeed, it is working in Wales and in Redditch. There are clear signs that the economy is turning the corner. I am sure that all Members were pleased with yesterday’s forecast by the International Monetary Fund, which revised UK growth for next year up from 1.5% to 1.9%.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Karen Lumley and David Jones

Wednesday 3rd July 2013 Commons Chamber

[Karen Lumley]

Does my right hon. Friend think it is a good use of taxpayers’ money to buy Cardiff International airport?

[Mr Jones]

That is entirely a matter for the Welsh Assembly Government, who have purchased it at a cost of £52 million. Clearly Cardiff does need an international airport, and I very much hope it will develop under the Welsh Government’s tutelage.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Karen Lumley and David Jones

Wednesday 15th May 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Jones]

Well, have I got news for my hon. Friend! The Silk commission has not yet completed its work; it will report in the spring of next year. The title “National Assembly” is used by the primary legislatures of countries such as France and South Africa, and also by the regional legislature of Quebec. The issue is what the legislature does, rather than what it is called.

[Karen Lumley (Redditch) (Con)]

12. What assessment he has made of the potential effects in Wales of the reduction in the rate of corporation tax to 20%.

[The Secretary of State for Wales (Mr David Jones)]

In total, the main rate of tax is set to fall by 8 percentage points under this Government. The United Kingdom will have the lowest rate in the G20, lower than most of our main competitors.

[Karen Lumley]

As well as reducing corporation tax, what else can the Government do to help small businesses in Wales?

[Mr Jones]

The reduction in corporation tax will be of immense benefit to Welsh small businesses. The Budget did, of course, announce that the national insurance employment allowance will benefit 35,000 businesses in Wales, with 20,000 of them taken out of paying national insurance contributions altogether.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Karen Lumley and David Jones

Wednesday 17th October 2012 Commons Chamber

[Karen Lumley (Redditch) (Con)]

5. What steps his Department is taking to increase the level of inward investment into Wales.

[The Secretary of State for Wales (Mr David Jones)]

I am working with UK Trade and Investment, ministerial colleagues and the Welsh Government to improve levels of inward investment into Wales. In fact, I am meeting the chief executive of UKTI later today.

[Karen Lumley]

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the scrapping of the Welsh Development Agency has had a negative effect on inward investment into Wales, as highlighted recently by the Welsh Affairs Committee?

[Mr Jones]

It is true that under the Welsh Development Agency, Wales was regularly the most important destination for inward investment, but I support both Governments working closely together to continue to attract inward investment into Wales.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Karen Lumley and David Jones

Wednesday 25th April 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Jones]

I share the hon. Gentleman’s concern about speeds on the north Wales coast line. The Wales Office discusses these matters regularly with the Department for Transport and will continue to do so.

[Karen Lumley (Redditch) (Con)]

What discussions has the Minister had with the European Parliament on trans-European network funding to enhance the railways?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Karen Lumley and David Jones

Wednesday 16th March 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Jones]

Yes, indeed. The proposal is that hubs should be provided in communities, but the technology that may be used thereafter will not be specified, so wi-fi or other appropriate solutions can be used depending on the nature of the area.

[Karen Lumley (Redditch) (Con)]

5. What recent discussions she has had with ministerial colleagues on measures to attract inward investment to Wales.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Karen Lumley and David Jones

Wednesday 8th December 2010 Commons Chamber

[Karen Lumley (Redditch) (Con)]

12. What recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on policing in Wales.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr David Jones)]

I refer my hon. Friend to my earlier response to my hon. Friends the Members for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire (Simon Hart) and for Wycombe (Steve Baker).

[Karen Lumley]

Having lived in Wrexham for most of my adult life, I notice that North Wales police force has one of the lowest crime rates and the highest percentage of uniformed officers on the streets compared with other forces in England and Wales. Does my hon. Friend think, as I do, that we could learn something from the North Wales police force?

[Mr Jones]

Yes, indeed, we can. Principally, what we have in north Wales is a chief constable who has displayed a tremendous can-do attitude and is prepared to live within his financial means.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Karen Lumley and David Jones

Wednesday 3rd November 2010 Commons Chamber

[Karen Lumley (Redditch) (Con)]

3. What recent discussions she has had with ministerial colleagues on an exemption from Severn bridge toll charges for serving armed forces personnel.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr David Jones)]

I have regular meetings with ministerial colleagues regarding transport issues in Wales. I recently met the Under-Secretary of State for Transport, my hon. Friend the Member for Lewes (Norman Baker), to discuss the Severn bridge tolls. In particular we discussed the possibility of offering various discounts once the concession ends.

[Karen Lumley]

Does my hon. Friend agree that we ought to honour our armed forces by giving them concessionary fares, as happens in France and the United States?

[Mr Jones]

We certainly ought to honour our armed forces. The issue with the Severn bridge is that it is currently managed by a concessionary company, Severn River Crossing plc, and that the concession is likely to continue until 2017. Until then, discounts are entirely a matter for the company, but when the concession ends the Government will be responsible for tolling and might well consider further concessions.