Oral Answers to Questions

Mark Pawsey Excerpts

Thursday 1st February 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Davis]

It is almost sine qua non that all my Ministers support Government policy, which is more than I can say for Opposition Front Benchers.

[Mark Pawsey (Rugby) (Con)]

6. What steps he is taking to ensure the Government engage with the international business community during negotiations for the UK to leave the EU.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union (Suella Fernandes)]

Ministers from across the Government have carried out extensive engagement on EU exit, in both the UK and the EU, with businesses and industry bodies from all sectors of the economy. Those include international businesses with a footprint in the UK and British businesses with interests in the EU. The Prime Minister chairs a quarterly business advisory council to hear directly from senior business leaders on the key issues across EU exit and the wider economy.

[Mark Pawsey]

Coming from Coventry, which is the home of the UK motor industry, I have been delighted by the industry’s resurgence in recent years. Last year, however, it did see a fall in output of 3%, which was attributed by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders to the need for clarity on Brexit transition. Given the importance of car manufacturing and its supply chain to the west midlands economy, what reassurance has the Minister been able to give the industry about the future relationship with our European partners?