Oral Answers to Questions

Valerie Vaz Excerpts
Tuesday 11th January 2022

(2 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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George Freeman Portrait George Freeman
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My hon. Friend is right, and he is also a powerful envoy for the Government in terms of our polar science. The royal research ship Sir David Attenborough is something of which all of us in the House can be proud. It is an incredible platform, and it embodies the very best of British leadership in science and innovation, with international scientists working on global challenges.

Valerie Vaz Portrait Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab)
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Will the Minister publish details of the business innovation forum, and how it will hold the Government to account on the distribution of the shared prosperity fund throughout the UK?

George Freeman Portrait George Freeman
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Yes. We are in the process of establishing the forum, and I want to ensure that we are talking not just to the same old people whom the Government always talk to but to the companies on the frontline—the leaders of the sectors of tomorrow. In the innovation strategy we set out seven high-growth sectors, and I will publish details of that in due course.