Intercity Express and Rail Electrification Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateLord Wharton of Yarm
Main Page: Lord Wharton of Yarm (Conservative - Life peer)Department Debates - View all Lord Wharton of Yarm's debates with the Department for Transport
(13 years, 5 months ago)
Commons ChamberIt is a matter for hon. Members whether they see their glasses as half empty or half full, but I am pleased to see the Government busily topping glasses up. As a representative of a north-east constituency, I am also pleased to say that last week we had the excellent news that Teesside Cast Products was being sold to SSI—Sahaviriya Steel Industries—and now we have today’s announcement from the Government. Does my right hon. Friend agree that this is a vote of confidence—not just by the private sector, but by the Government—in the skills and abilities of those working in manufacturing right across the north-east?
I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend: it is a vote of confidence in UK manufacturing. This Government are committed to rebalancing the economy, reviving manufacturing and reasserting the value of Britain’s manufacturing skills base, and both announcements play to that theme.