Oral Answers to Questions

Stephen Doughty Excerpts

Wednesday 26th June 2019 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Stephen Doughty (Cardiff South and Penarth) (Lab/Co-op)]

1. What recent assessment he has made of the potential effect on manufacturing in Wales of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

[The Secretary of State for Wales (Alun Cairns)]

The manufacturing sector is of vital importance to the Welsh economy. The UK’s modern industrial strategy plays a key part in supporting industry. We want to get a deal with the European Union to give a smooth and orderly exit.

[Stephen Doughty]

The Secretary of State says that he wants to get a deal, yet he is backing a candidate for the Conservative leadership who advocates no deal. With the news from Ford, Airbus, Honda and Nissan, and from so much of Welsh manufacturing industry and the steel industry, how on earth can he, as Secretary of State, justify that position? Or is he simply trying to keep his job?

[Alun Cairns]

The hon. Gentleman is highly selective in what he cites. If he heeds the calls of some of the employers he mentioned, he will know that they supported the deal that came before Parliament and urged him to vote for a deal. By definition, his voting against the deal made no deal far more likely.