Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stephen Crabb and Stephen Mosley

Wednesday 21st January 2015 Commons Chamber

[Stephen Mosley (City of Chester) (Con)]

8. What assessment he has made of the level of growth in the high-tech sector in Wales since 2010.

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

Wales has the potential to be a beacon of hi-tech excellence and innovation. Since 2010, thousands of new jobs have been created in the advanced manufacturing, ICT and life sciences sectors. The growth in those sectors is contributing to the rebalancing of our economy, which is so vital to future economic success.

[Stephen Mosley]

Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is remarkable that half the world’s mobile phones contain wafer semi-conductor technology that has been made in Wales?

[Stephen Crabb]

My hon. Friend is exactly right. Remarkable transformations are occurring inside the Welsh economy. Much more work needs to be done, but the picture is a positive one. That view stands in stark contrast with what the Labour party would have us believe, as it consistently—week in, week out—talks down the achievements of Welsh business.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stephen Crabb and Stephen Mosley

Wednesday 22nd October 2014 Commons Chamber

[Stephen Mosley (City of Chester) (Con)]

5. What assessment he has made of trends in manufacturing in Wales since 2010.

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

Under the previous Labour Government, 83,000 manufacturing jobs were lost in Wales. Our long-term economic plan has made a good start in reversing this decline, with 12,000 manufacturing jobs created since the election. I was delighted recently to visit ConvaTec and Toyota in north Wales to see for myself how two global manufacturers really value Wales as a great place to come and do business in.

[Stephen Mosley]

I welcome my right hon. Friend to his post, and I congratulate him and the Government on the success of the NATO summit this summer. In recent weeks, Airbus has announced a $26 billion deal for 250 new aircraft with India’s largest airline, IndiGo, and a deal for 70 aircraft with a Chinese leasing company. The fact that all those aircraft will have wings built in Deeside in north Wales will generate thousands of jobs, including many hundreds in my constituency of Chester. Will he join me in congratulating the company and its employees?

[Stephen Crabb]

One of my early visits as Secretary of State was to Airbus in Broughton, where I saw for myself just what a fantastic plant that factory is. I spoke to senior management there, but not just that: I got a chance to meet the apprentices and see for myself just what a contribution they are making to Airbus’s success at this time.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stephen Crabb and Stephen Mosley

Wednesday 8th January 2014 Commons Chamber

[Stephen Crabb]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for that question. I regularly meet Lord Freud, the Minister for welfare reform, to discuss the impact of the complete welfare reform agenda in Wales. The Welsh language, specifically, is an issue that I have discussed with him. We want to see high-quality Welsh language availability for the people who need it.

[Stephen Mosley (City of Chester) (Con)]

6. What recent discussions he has had on future investment in transport infrastructure in Wales.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stephen Crabb and Stephen Mosley

Wednesday 20th November 2013 Commons Chamber

[Stephen Mosley (City of Chester) (Con)]

10. What assessment he has made of the potential economic effect of the proposed new prison in north Wales.

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

Our £250 million investment in a new prison in north Wales will be a significant driver for growth in the local economy and provide around 1,000 jobs. The prison is expected to contribute £23 million a year to the regional economy.

[Stephen Mosley]

Will the Minister join me in welcoming the fact that the prison will allow prisoners from north Wales and Cheshire to live closer to their families and maintain vital links with them, thus helping rehabilitation?

[Stephen Crabb]

My hon. Friend is exactly right. Aside from the important economic benefits to Wales of the new prison, importantly it will help families stay in closer touch with prisoners, which has been proven time and again to be a vital factor in whether people reduce their offending behaviour when they are out of prison.