Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stephen Crabb and Ranil Jayawardena

Wednesday 18th November 2015 Commons Chamber

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

9. What assessment he has made of the effect in Wales of the Government’s measures to support small businesses.

[The Secretary of State for Wales (Stephen Crabb)]

Small businesses are the lifeblood of the Welsh economy and are leading the way in creating new jobs and driving growth. There are now 22,000 more businesses in Wales than in 2010. Supporting these businesses to grow is a key part of the Government’s long-term plan for Wales and the UK.

[Mr Jayawardena]

Does the Secretary of State agree that infrastructure is critical to supporting small businesses and that the electrification of the Great Western railway, which serves my constituency too, will unlock social and economic opportunities for his constituents and mine?

[Stephen Crabb]

I totally agree with my hon. Friend. Of course, investing in the Great Western line is just one part of the largest programme of investment in British railways since the days of Isambard Kingdom Brunel.