Oral Answers to Questions

Shailesh Vara Excerpts

Wednesday 17th October 2012 Commons Chamber

[Stephen Crabb]

My hon. Friend makes his point. Much has been said about that and I do not want to add to it today, other than to say that it was unfortunate that the Welsh Government acted unilaterally on the matter. The key point is the ongoing review of qualifications in Wales and the proposals from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education for new qualifications at 16 in England. It is important that parents and pupils in Wales have confidence that their qualifications will be respected and robust, and that they will be able to take them to institutions and employers in England, where they will be respected.

[Mr Shailesh Vara (North West Cambridgeshire) (Con)]

7. What discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues and others about foreign direct investment in Wales.

[Simon Hart (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire) (Con)]

9. What discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues and others about foreign direct investment in Wales.

[The Secretary of State for Wales (Mr David Jones)]

I have regular discussions with ministerial colleagues about attracting foreign direct investment to Wales. I was delighted that my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister, during his visit to Turkey earlier this month, announced that a Turkish steel company is to open a new factory in Cardiff.

[Mr Vara]

I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for those comments. Does he agree that UK Trade and Investment’s global presence through our embassies and high commissions provides a huge opportunity to ensure direct foreign investment in Wales?

[Mr Jones]

UKTI has global reach, with its officials embedded in every British mission around the world, and I am delighted that it is seconding two officials to the Welsh Government.