Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Wales Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Karl McCartney Excerpts
Wednesday 30th November 2016

(7 years, 12 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Nigel Huddleston Portrait Nigel Huddleston (Mid Worcestershire) (Con)
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6. What recent discussions he has had with key stakeholders on the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on Wales.

Karl McCartney Portrait Karl MᶜCartney (Lincoln) (Con)
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10. What recent discussions he has had with key stakeholders on the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on Wales.

Alun Cairns Portrait The Secretary of State for Wales (Alun Cairns)
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Since the referendum in June, I have had discussions with a wide range of stakeholders across Wales, from the Wales Council for Voluntary Action, to the farming unions, the CBI Wales and the Institute of Directors in Wales, to hear their views on how to secure the best deal for Wales and the UK as we leave the EU. Those conversations are informing my discussions with Cabinet colleagues, as well as with the Welsh Government.

Alun Cairns Portrait Alun Cairns
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My hon. Friend makes an extremely important point. I have already talked about my warm relationship with the Welsh Government, but of course the UK Government should also have a warm relationship with universities, charity groups and environmental groups, as well as with businesses directly in Wales. The Welsh Government have an important part to play, but we also have a direct relationship with those key stakeholders.

Karl McCartney Portrait Karl MᶜCartney
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Does my right hon. Friend recognise that there is more than one voice in Wales and not simply the voice of the Welsh Government, who still cannot accept that the majority of Welsh people voted to leave the European Union? We must therefore engage with all Welsh stakeholders and partners who are key to ensuring that Brexit will be a success for everyone in the UK.

Alun Cairns Portrait Alun Cairns
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My hon. Friend raises an important point. Of course we engage positively with the Welsh Government, and we will continue to do so. I have already had scores of meetings with key stakeholders in Wales. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Wales was at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society’s winter fair yesterday doing that very thing—engaging with Welsh farmers and with Welsh farming unions.