Oral Answers to Questions

Steve Baker Excerpts
Tuesday 31st January 2017

(7 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Jesse Norman Portrait Jesse Norman
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The success of Scotland has been part of a wider UK success. I absolutely recognise the point that the hon. Lady mentions. I was in Glasgow only last week, talking to high-tech companies at Glasgow University, and I can absolutely vouch for their quality.

Steve Baker Portrait Mr Steve Baker (Wycombe) (Con)
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In my former career as an aerospace engineer—[Hon. Members: “Hear, hear.”] They have not heard the question yet, Mr Speaker. In that former career, I saw several examples of our aerospace competitiveness being diminished by the political enforcement of collaboration in engineering across Europe. Will the Minister ensure that future collaboration across Europe on aerospace happens where that is productive, not where it suits geopolitical objectives?

Jesse Norman Portrait Jesse Norman
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I admire the subtle and unobtrusive way in which my hon. Friend smuggled his personal experience into that question. I assure him that we will continue to take a thoroughly co-operative approach with European colleagues.