Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Wales Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Neil Carmichael Excerpts
Wednesday 4th March 2015

(9 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Alun Cairns Portrait Alun Cairns
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May I remind the hon. Gentleman that European structural funds are aimed at the poorest parts of Europe? It is no mark of celebration to say that his constituency succeeded in winning that money. This Government have a long-term economic plan to turn the economy around for the longer term rather than depending on the grants and handouts for which he makes the case. He also needs to be reminded that that is our money coming back with conditions attached.

Neil Carmichael Portrait Neil Carmichael (Stroud) (Con)
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Does the Minister agree that the reforms that the CBI and others are recommending for the single market, and for the European Union in general, are absolutely right for Wales and absolutely right for Britain, and that that should be a consideration for the referendum?

Alun Cairns Portrait Alun Cairns
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My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Opposition Members talk about some sort of so-called uncertainty, but that so-called uncertainty has given us the fastest-growing economy in the G7 and has made Wales the fastest-growing part of the United Kingdom, which we should be celebrating and marking.