Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Paul Beresford and Rishi Sunak

Wednesday 30th November 2022 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

We did have that conversation not so many years ago—it was described as a once-in-a-generation referendum—and we discussed this last week. I think what the people of Scotland want is for us to be working constructively together to focus on their priorities. That is indeed what we are doing in the hon. Gentleman’s own area: we are investing hundreds of millions of pounds in a growth deal and ensuring that with the new concert hall we can enshrine Edinburgh’s reputation as a city of culture.

[Sir Paul Beresford (Mole Valley) (Con)]

Q3. I have just returned from the south Pacific and—[Interruption.] I have resisted the All Blacks jokes. I found a deep concern there about the expanding tentacles of communist China. Does my right hon. Friend agree that China is more than just “a systemic challenge”, as he has put it, and is in fact an expanding, serious geopolitical threat?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Paul Beresford and Rishi Sunak

Wednesday 23rd November 2022 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

At a time such as this, the Scottish people want to see their Governments working together on the things that matter to them. I believe that that is possible. The hon. Member should know that in his own constituency we have been able to support culture and tourism, working together to bring the V&A to Dundee. That is an example of a positive project. It demonstrates the benefits of the Union, and that is what we will keep on delivering.

[Sir Paul Beresford (Mole Valley) (Con)]

Q10. My right hon. Friend will be aware that the Government provide slim financial support across five firms for small modular reactors. A few other countries have woken up and are seriously investing in SMRs. As Sizewell will not be running until 2031 at the earliest, should we not be doing the same?

[The Prime Minister]

My hon. Friend makes an excellent point. Hopefully he was heartened to hear what the Chancellor said last week: that we want to crack on with our overall nuclear programme. My hon. Friend is right to acknowledge that small modular and advanced nuclear reactors have the potential to play a key role in that nuclear programme, alongside projects such as Hinckley and Sizewell. That is why we have allocated £385 million to support them. Like him, I am keen to see progress as soon as possible.