Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Theresa Villiers Excerpts
Wednesday 25th January 2017

(7 years, 3 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Alun Cairns Portrait Alun Cairns
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I thank the hon. Gentleman for raising the steel industry. It is an extremely important industry for communities in Wales, but it is also of strategic importance for the whole of the United Kingdom. Last week, I met all the unions relating to steel, and we discussed the challenges that exist, as well as how the company, the pension trustees, the pensioners and the employees of the steelworks need to work their way through this. The Government stand ready to support the industry—we are determined to find a long-term, sustainable future for the steel industry—and I recognise its importance for Wales and for the UK.

Theresa Villiers Portrait Mrs Theresa Villiers (Chipping Barnet) (Con)
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3. What discussions his Department has had with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on ensuring that the Government’s industrial strategy benefits the whole of the UK.

Guto Bebb Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Guto Bebb)
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This Government have put in place an industrial strategy that will work for all people in every corner of the UK. Wales is home to world-leading sectors, be it compound semi-conductors in Cardiff, agri-tech in Aberystwyth or advanced manufacturing in Deeside. We are committed to building on our strengths to create an economy where everyone can share the benefits of our economic success.

Theresa Villiers Portrait Mrs Villiers
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One of the most important themes of the Government’s industrial strategy is the determination to ensure that all nations and regions of the UK can benefit from economic prosperity. An important aspect of that is science and research, which I hope the Minister will agree offers real potential for businesses in Wales to prosper and create jobs.

Guto Bebb Portrait Guto Bebb
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I absolutely agree with my right hon. Friend about the importance of investing in skills and high-tech industries in a Welsh context. I know that our university sector stands ready to support the Welsh economy to ensure that we have such skills.