Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Vince Cable and Mary Macleod

Thursday 8th January 2015 Commons Chamber

[Vince Cable]

The difference with the Comet case is the allegation of serious misconduct by directors, and that may or may not be the case with City Link. In six weeks, the administrator will make a report to our Insolvency Service and, depending on what that says, we may want to initiate an investigation, but let us wait and see the findings of that. [Official Report, 16 January 2015, Vol. 590, c. 10MC.]

[Mary Macleod (Brentford and Isleworth) (Con)]

T6. There have been more than 500 apprenticeship starts in my constituency in the past year, but I want to increase that figure. What more can we do to ensure that businesses support, and schools promote, apprenticeships?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Vince Cable and Mary Macleod

Thursday 5th December 2013 Commons Chamber

[Vince Cable]

The overall context is that the transatlantic agreement between the European Union and the United States, if it materialises, would be of enormous economic benefit. We realise that there are some tricky negotiating issues, and the hon. Lady has highlighted one of them. We will try to ensure that the interests of our economy are properly protected.

[Mary Macleod (Brentford and Isleworth) (Con)]

Will my hon. Friend keep pushing for the teaching of enterprise in our schools, so that we can inspire a whole new generation of entrepreneurs?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Vince Cable and Mary Macleod

Thursday 18th July 2013 Commons Chamber

[Vince Cable]

That falls well outside my area of competence, but I have a personal interest in it. One thing I learnt from my years in the oil and gas industry is that it is very unwise to predict movements in the price of oil, whether up or down. The hon. Gentleman raises an important and fundamental question that I am interested in and will pursue if it is relevant to my Department.

[Mary Macleod (Brentford and Isleworth) (Con)]

Brompton Bicycle Ltd in Brentford is a brilliant example of British manufacturing and engineering. It has been growing at 25% a year over the past three years, sells 40,000 bikes a year and exports 80% of what it makes to 44 countries. Will the Minister meet me and Brompton Bicycle Ltd to talk about how it can find the funding to buy new premises in order to grow even further?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Vince Cable and Mary Macleod

Thursday 6th September 2012 Commons Chamber

[Vince Cable]

Small, innovative businesses are absolutely crucial, and the CBI, in particular, has focused on what it calls the “gazelles” in that space. One specific initiative that we introduced—I launched it—and which the hon. Lady may not be aware of is the growth accelerator, which is a system of providing high-quality coaching for 26,000 small and medium-sized enterprises of exactly the kind she has described. All our evidence so far suggests that it is appreciated and is working extremely well.

[Mary Macleod (Brentford and Isleworth) (Con)]

3. What steps he is taking to ensure that young people leave further and higher education with the skills that employers need.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Vince Cable and Mary Macleod

Thursday 13th January 2011 Commons Chamber

[Vince Cable]

I did indeed express regret for the comments made, but they were not considered to be a breach of the ministerial code.

[Mary Macleod (Brentford and Isleworth) (Con)]

The businesses of London play a key role in building a strong economy for the future. Will my right hon. Friend meet me and a west London business to talk about challenges and priorities and how to create new jobs and growth for the future in west London?

Higher Education and Student Finance

Debate between Vince Cable and Mary Macleod

Tuesday 12th October 2010 Commons Chamber

[Vince Cable]

I think that the hon. Gentleman will have to apply his considerable powers of persuasion to his Front-Bench team, because they have not yet caught up with his ideological journey.

[Mary Macleod (Brentford and Isleworth) (Con)]

Will my right hon. Friend consider a reduced graduate contribution for those subjects where we have a real need and where there is a skills gap such as maths, science and engineering?

[Vince Cable]

I thank the hon. Lady for her question but, again, I have answered that in different ways. We accept that one of the fundamental problems at the moment is the imbalance in the graduate population. There is a severe shortage of engineers in particular, but in STEM subjects in general. Unfortunately, there is a growing pool of graduate unemployment in other areas, so we must support the STEM subjects, and we will continue to do so through the teaching grant.