Vauxhall at Ellesmere Port and Battery Manufacturing Strategy

Mike Wood Excerpts
Monday 1st March 2021

(3 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Kwasi Kwarteng Portrait Kwasi Kwarteng
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I am fully aware and conscious of the difficult time that we are going through, but the hon. Lady will appreciate that these are ongoing conversations —ongoing sensitive negotiations—and I am not going to be prepared to enter into the details on the Floor of the House. Once we have a reached a decision—a conclusion—with the company, we can then have a fuller discussion. I am very committed to landing the right result in this conversation.

Mike Wood Portrait Mike Wood (Dudley South) (Con) [V]
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JLR is leading the way in committing to an all-electric future, boosting our strong manufacturing base in the west midlands, so it was disappointing that Labour discounted the west midlands from its plans. Will my right hon. Friend demonstrate his superior judgment by backing the campaign by west midlands Conservative MPs and our fantastic Mayor, Andy Street, for a west midlands gigafactory so that the west midlands truly can be the engine for growth?

Kwasi Kwarteng Portrait Kwasi Kwarteng
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I am not sure whether that was a yes or no question, but yes to my hon. Friend’s point. Andy is doing a great job. MPs in the region, my right hon. and hon. Friends, are really driving progress in this area. I would be very happy to help them and support them in that endeavour.