Oral Answers to Questions

Vince Cable Excerpts
Tuesday 30th January 2018

(6 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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Greg Clark Portrait Greg Clark
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I do indeed. Space is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the economy, and we are world leaders in it. Through the Bill, we will ensure that we have the right regulatory regime to underpin that.

Vince Cable Portrait Sir Vince Cable (Twickenham) (LD)
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Since the aerospace sector requires long-term planning and investment, does the Secretary of State not share my alarm at the threatened takeover of the leading tier 1 supplier GKN by a turnaround company specialising in maximising shareholder returns over five years maximum? Is this not a national security issue?

Greg Clark Portrait Greg Clark
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The right hon. Gentleman is a previous occupant of my post, so he knows that the powers that the Secretary of State has over these things have to be exercised in a quasi-judicial way. Therefore, I should not, and cannot, comment on that case. However, he will know, because he has written to me, that I have spoken to both chief executives, and I am keeping it under close review.