Oral Answers to Questions

Ranil Jayawardena Excerpts

Wednesday 30th November 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I am happy to hear the voice of North East Hampshire on question 7. Mr Jayawardena, get in there.

[Mr Ranil Jayawardena (North East Hampshire) (Con)]

9. North Wales, which is home to the wings of the Airbus A380, has significant opportunities for trade with Europe and the rest of the world. Will my hon. Friend reassure the House that efforts will be dedicated to ensuring that north Wales and its northern powerhouse links will be trumpeted by this Government?

[Guto Bebb]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. North Wales has a huge contribution to make in terms of employment not just in North Wales but throughout the UK. The Government’s emphasis on having a north Wales growth deal is dependent on linking north Wales to the northern powerhouse. To develop that link, I was pleased to visit north-east Wales and Chester recently with the Minister responsible for the northern powerhouse. There is an appetite in north-east Wales to work on a cross-border basis for the benefit of our local economies.