Wales Questions House of Commons

Hello and welcome to BBC Parliament is live coverage from the House of

Commons. In half an hour David Cameron will freeze the Labour

leader Jeremy Corbyn and backbenchers at the dispatch box for

Prime Minister's Questions after that David Mundell will make a

statement on these cottage and UK Government financial deal enabling

new powers for Holyrood. The negotiations over the new fiscal

framework have been going on since 2015 with a lengthy deadlock over

Scotland boss might block grant. That will be followed by a debate

put forward by the Labour Party first on pension age for women and

police safety. Join me for a round-up in houses of parliament at

11 o'clock tonight at first we have questions or the Secretary Of State

to Wales Comet Steven Crooke. Order, questions to the Secretary of State

for Wales the Cardiff City deal sets the possibilities to secure Cardiff

as one of the best places to do business. Yesterday we met to

discuss the city deal and ensure that progress and momentum are being

maintained. My honourable friend the member for Cardiff North has long

championed this city deal to deliver later success for Cardiff and Wales

everyone must be as committed to delivering for Cardiff as he and the

Secretary Of State art, what assessment has he made of the Welsh

assembly government commitment to this deal and particularly their

commitment to funding it? I thank my right honourable friend for his

question I discussed the deal and proposal on Monday when the First

Minister and I am assured by David Strong commitment from all parties

for the city deal. There are still some questions need to be answered

about the nature of the deal coming from the Welsh government and we

look forward to getting it secured as soon as possible. Last month I

ask the Secretary Of State whether or not his government would match

the 580 million the Welsh government is putting towards the Cardiff City

deal, had he got a cheque from the Chancellor yet? I am slightly

surprised by the tone coming from the right honourable lady we have

already put ?125 million on the table to help with real

electrification. We have already put ?50 million towards the compound

semiconductor cat pulp Centre in Cardiff, the is now? Or where our

commitment to securing an ambitious city deal for Cardiff but there are

some questions about the nature of the Welsh government support for

this but I am sure we can work through those issues and land the

deal. I am sure the Secretary Of State will join with me in welcoming

the announcement that Aston Martin will be welding their new facility

in south Wales does best not emphasise the private sector nature

and what is the government linked to make sure the Welsh government

engage with the private sector and get more money in? My honourable

friend that's likely right back firstly may I just put on my record

our congratulations to the honourable member for Cardiff North

and to his wife, Claire, just if you these after the birth of his second

child. It is good to see them taking an rate from paternity leave to

stand here and champion the interest of his people in Cardiff. This is a

great example of the Welsh government and UK Government working

together, through team Wales approach. It is about business being

right at the heart of helping to secure the city deal vision but

right at the heart of delivering the city deal version as well. My

congratulations do the honourable member as well and my

congratulations, two, to the honourable member sitting opposite

and the Welsh government for the support of the project and the

Cardiff City deal and the Swansea City deal as well. Will he confirm

the support will be there for Cardiff and the proposal I Terry

Matthews for an Internet course that will link Swansea and West Wales as

well? This is where we drive jobs into West Wales the honourable

member has raised a number of initiatives but I think the common

theme was about the nature of partnership working. That is what we

need to see more raw, local partners working together. The Aston Martin

deal shows the fruit of what can be achieved when you have the right

kind of attitude and commitment from the right minister, First Minister

and local MPs like the member for the Vale of Glamorgan. We have

discussed this with Terry Matthews and we are interested in discovering

more detail and working with the partners in Cardiff. Isn't it one of

the reasons that Aston Martin has moved to the greater Cardiff season

is because of the success of delivering fast broadband and

particularly the skills which now exist in South Wales? My honourable

friend who had a great love and knowledge of Wales is absolutely

right. The most important thing about securing these inward

investment rejects whether Aston Martin or companies like Airbus is

the excellence of the skills and the workforce we have in Wales. It is

more that can be achieved but the reason companies like that Jews

Wales over locations all around the world is because of the quality of

skills and the workforce, the quality of infrastructure and

because the UK Government is committed to providing the best

environment for growth. I will answer questions two and seven

together. Employment in Wales is more stable than ever before. Aston

Martin has already been referred to, it is testimony of the significant

investment Wales is attracting. As a former student of Aberystwyth

University, the oldest and best law school in Wales, I am pleased to see

that more than 80% of employees in mid Wales are employed by small and

medium-sized enterprises. Will he join me in acknowledging the

significance of this thriving community to the economy in Wales?

He is absolutely right and the true champion of Aberystwyth and Wales.

Given our small businesses in that area with an extra 5500 people going

out to work everyday since 2010 as a result of the economic stability we

have brought about. Does the Minister agree that the key to

further enhancing Wales is for diverse of occasion in the rural

economy just as there is happening in a Stanley? What specific measures

does he have in to increase enterprise in Wales's more remote

areas west of Mac my honourable friend is a great expert on rural

areas and I pay tribute to his success in North Norfolk. Employment

increase demonstrates the dynamism and broad base on which our policies

have taken place. The British business bank, start-up run Skene

and new enterprise allowance scheme we are keen to work with the

government to try to diversify further. Now it is official

government policy to support membership of the European Union in

the referendum will be Minister and Secretary Of State chooses report

which shows the benefit of Wales to the European Union? I would opinion

is clear and the government position is to support the deal that my right

honourable friend the Prime Minister has negotiated. Of course Europe is

important to our exporters, two businesses but also the money it

repatriated from Europe back to the United Kingdom and Wales through

cohesion funding. Can I reiterate the comments made by the honourable

gentleman from Gillingham? Can I ask the Secretary Of State if we are

series about creating more jobs, and we are, that means real investment

in real infrastructure. That has been because the government 's

mobile infrastructure project has been such a field year and a livered

so little for rural Wales? The honourable member raises this issue

on an repetitive bases and because of this I met open Reach earlier

this week as well as BT UK as well the mobile operators, I have plans

to meet those shortly to discuss what extra can be done to improve

the mobile infrastructure communication but I will make the

point that under the 4G option at least 95% coverage will be gained in

Wales which contrasts significantly with the 3G option we were left with

last time. Will he join me in congratulating my constituent, Mr

Sean Taylor, on his company. In four years this has gone from zero staff

to 220 staff revitalising the economy of rural North West Wales.

Many members will appreciate the difficulties that the wires can

offer but I will pay tribute to my honourable friend the member for

Aberconwy who is the pure champion of the wires and the diverse

occasion it puts please not only in his own constituency but elsewhere

and we are keen to see the diverse of occasion of this business in this

area. I would like to pay tribute to the excellent news about Aston

Martin and I as well as paying tribute to that company I would like

to pay tribute to our dynamic raw business Welsh Labour government and

to everyone who was involved in securing the deal. As we are

discussing trends in employment and with around 200,000 jobs in Wales

depended on our EU membership, what does the Secretary Of State think

would happen to trends in employment if we were daft enough to leave the

EU? I am grateful to the honourable lady about her comments on the

efforts the UK Government has made to attract investment and the Aston

Martin investment in our own constituency, I think I should be

underlined the comments the honourable lady made. The government

does not plan to leave the EU, the Prime Minister has made the case, he

has negotiated a strong deal and I am confident people will support

that when the referendum comes. With permission I will answer questions

three and five together. This government knows that supporting our

manufacturing industry is vital to the balancing the economy. Despite

challenging global we have seen 12,000 new mansion battling jobs

treated in Wales since 2010 reversing the previous decline in

manufacturing jobs we saw in the previous Labour government.

How will we benefit from the economic recovery in North Wales? By

honourable friend is right about the strength of recovery in Wales. Much

of what is innovative and exciting and good is happening in North

Wales. We are clear that the economy of North Wales is integrated in a

single economy with the north-west of England. There are opportunities

for people on both sides of the border to benefit from the Northern

powerhouse vision. I met with the council earlier this month and they

are calling out to be part of the northern powerhouse. Does the

Secretary of State agree with me that the success of the

manufacturing industry in Wales and the rest of the UK reflects a

growing global demand for our products and is further success of

the government's ambitious campaign? I thank him for that question, he is

absolutely right. There is enormous and growing global demand for

high-quality goods and products manufactured in Wales. We have set

ourselves ambitious targets for increasing the level of exports from

the UK. I want to see the Welsh business sharing in that export

surge, that is why the exporting is great road show drug will be in

North Wales tomorrow explaining to small businesses what export

opportunities lie across the world. To balance the economy is to

decentralise enterprise and services. Why is the government

closing down tax offices in rural areas of Wales and courts and the

impact this has on the economy? They talk decentralisation but they

centralise services when they have the opportunity. The honourable

gentleman should understand this, this government has a sacred duty to

take care of how taxpayers money is spent. With all of the problems we

were left with in 2010, the truth is we maintain a strong government

footprint in Wales and it is true that the growth in private-sector

jobs in Wales in the last five years outstrips any reductions we have

seen in public sector employment. There is a welcome step, will it is

vital they are combined with a fiscal framework that is not

detrimental to Wales. Given the struck -- struggles of the Scottish

Government, what expectations can the Welsh government have on their

chosen method and what is his method and is it not the case that partial

income tax powers will present no detriment? The honourable gentleman

is right for the need to get the details right. We have seen the

Scottish fiscal framework. But that is further down the line. In Wales,

we still have a discussion with the Welsh government. They want to avoid

taking on any income is taxed powers whatsoever. They want to avoid the

problems of that, they are running from having that fall accountability

that we feel is necessary for Wales. Would he agree the Severn Bridge is

key to the economy in Wales and the debts will be paid back before the

2018 prediction and there is a golden opportunity to reduce tolls

for businesses and motoring in Wales? My honourable friend, the

chairman of the select committee has been persistent and effectively

raising concerns about the burdens imposed on businesses in Wales and

the motorists by the high level of tolls on the Severn Bridge. We have

not made any final decisions on what happens when the private-sector

concession comes to an end in 2017, but if his committee members have

ideas on what they want to see happen, I know myself and the

Treasury would be keen to hear from them. Last year, the Secretary of

State says his work ambition was to secure growth in the Welsh economy.

On his watch we are seeing the loss of hundreds of jobs in the

strategically important steel industry. The government has been

painfully slow to heeding our warnings on cutting energy costs and

disingenuous, with EU backing given in December, how much longer worse

government delay the energy compensation package that the steel

industry in Wales desperately needs? I am really disappointed by the

slightly tribal and partisan tone that the shadow Secretary of State

adopts on this. If we wanted to talk about the record what happened to

steal jobs under Conservative or Labour governments, I am happy to

debate that. We can of that micro-talk about the decline in jobs

under previously both governments. I now want to deal with the global

storm facing the steel industry. This government has taken a lead in

Europe in the queue at rules and arguing for protection measures

against Chinese dumping and that the steel industry in Wales has the best

chance of a sustainable future. Government also has a key role in

commissioning infrastructure developments that can rebalance the

economy, manufacturers across Wales were gearing up in earnest to supply

the Swansea Bay tidal lagoon. They share my deep concern that the

government is now planning a lengthy review that could scupper the

project altogether. Can the Secretary of State give an

unequivocal guarantee that this vitally important project will not

be sidelined by his government? I do notice the shadow Secretary of State

did not stand up here today and welcome what we saw yesterday, Her

Majesty The Queen naming and opening the new Elizabeth Cross rail line,

which by the way uses 50,000 tonnes of steel made in Wales. She should

be welcoming that as a good example of how UK infrastructure investment

can drive growth in the steel industry as well. In terms of the

tidal lagoon review, the chief executive of that review has

welcomed the review himself. He welcomes that we are looking into

this and exploring all options to see if this project is financially

viable. We are better informed, albeit at some length. Does the

Minister share my view that a prime mover between rebalancing the

economy is the sense of fairness? Does the agreed that the action

taken by this government in constituencies throughout Wales is

about making the best use of their talents? The house in the nation

should have heard him and I fear they might not have adequately done

so. It will do for today though. As long as the Secretary of State heard

but courtesy dictates. Mr Speaker, I did not hear the full question but

what I did here was an important point about fairness when it comes

to rebalancing the economy. Unlike the previously the government when

the UK became hopelessly balance towards London and the south-east,

we think there are talents and resources in the North of England,

Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the West of England that need to

be captured and enhanced. Number four, Mr Speaker. This government

has a proud record of devolution in Wales, establishing the sil

commission, new fiscal powers and taking forward the Saint Davids Day

agreement. In that agreement we committed to consider the case for

devolving APD to Wales this work is being undertaken and assessed by the

Treasury. Evolving air passenger duty will not help, it will damage

the economic viability Bristol Airport of consequential and

detrimental affects in the south-west. When my right honourable

friend the stresses that with the Chancellor, will he reflect on the

fact that if it had not been for making great games in the

south-west, there would not be a majority of the Conservative

government. I thank him for his question, like me, I am sure he

welcomes the fact that as a government we are cutting APD in all

parts of the government. -- in all parts of the country. There are also

serious concerns about the effect that APD devolution may have on

competition issues in relation to Bristol Airport. Is the Secretary of

State aware that North Wales number local airport are Liverpool and

Manchester and will he pull his finger out and meet to improve

connectivity to Manchester Airport by rail from North Wales? Mr

Speaker, I am aware of the issues the honourable member for Wrexham

raises. I recently met with the North Wales business Council to talk

about the importance of a rail link from North Wales into Manchester

Airport. He makes an important point that we are very mindful of. Number

six Mr Speaker. Wales is getting back to work, 58,000 fewer working

household since 2010, our welfare reforms have benefited the people of

Wales, helping people into jobs that will provide a regular wage to

themselves and their families. I thank my honourable friend for that

answer. Does he agree with me that it is the far-reaching benefit

changes and reforms of the welfare state that have encouraged people to

get back to work and have the dignity of earning a living rather

than living a life on benefits? He is absolutely right, the

unemployment rate in Miles has fallen more than any other parts of

the UK in the last quarter. Welfare of form is key to that, we are

determined to deliver a low wealth, low tax, high wage economy. The

Institute for Fiscal Studies warned this month that universal credit

will weaken the incentives for single parents to work. What

assessment has the government made of ruling out -- what effect

universal credit will have an Wales? Welfare reform needs to be taken in

its totality. It is about incentivising work and increasing

wages and lowering taxes. I would hope the honourable member would

reflect on the positive nature of welfare reform interning about

communities. Number eight. The secretary of state and I readily

meet with stakeholders to discuss government plans for infrastructure

across the whole of Wales. Just this week, the Secretary of State will be

meeting her Tajik to discuss proposals for a new nuclear power

station. As part of the government's Northern Powerhouse incentive

proved, six years early, can he confirm that it will benefit the

people of both Wales and sperm or economic develop and programmes in

Wales as well as in north-west England and Cheshire? I am grateful

to him for raising this issue, he highlights the HS two project is

truly a national scheme. It offers potential for Wales and the

potential Northern Powerhouse. I recently met with the North Wales

task force who recognise the potential of North Wales in the

Northern Powerhouse and the Northern Powerhouse to North Wales. Much is

rightly made of trends in employment in Wales but average full-time

workers pay in my constituency has dropped 12% in the last two years.

What is the Secretary of State doing to bring infrastructure projects and

science and technology salaries to our constituencies? Inode she is a

true champion of her home constituency but across the whole of

North Wales and will welcome the significant investment in the

present in Wrexham. The ?20 billion investment that will bring as well

as the interest she has shown in the nuclear projects in her area, I have

met with her and the leader of Bernard Council recently to discuss

the effects this will have and the announcements made by the

Chancellor, making millions available for this scheme. Number

considered as a matter of urgency in considered as a matter of urgency in

terms of publication as an asp is all. They have waited all this time

for some conclusions, it is ridiculous that government

departments in the last two months have been sitting on the report.

What is going on, I understand reductions are taking place, what

confidence can we have in the published report eventually that it

is a true report without interference from the government? I

thank the honourable lady for her question, it is a serious and

sensitive issue, and I will think of the tireless work she has done for

those who suffered horrendous abuse. We have the report, it is being

looked at by the Crown Prosecution Service and the DPP and the police.

Some reductions are being made, I will, we will only make redactions

where absolutely necessary and we will provide full explanations into

why we are making those redactions, we owe that to the victims. Does the

Secretary of State agree with me that there is concern about the

language issue in this report. In the Waterhouse report, saying the

children saw a great deal, as well they might. I think the honourable

member is getting into a level of detail that we can perhaps discuss

outside this place on another occasion. The criminal records unit

will close on the 31st of May, the latest application will be accepted

is this Friday. By link with services will cease on Friday, does

he share my concern? I want to see the Welsh language flourish and

being used on a day-to-day basis. I am not familiar with the specific

case he raises with me but he is once do drop in, we can look into it

fully. Questions to the Prime Minister. The house will be a

further dreadful accident that happened at Didcot power station

yesterday afternoon in which one died and three are missing.

The family and friends of the victim.

The house will be aware of the dreadful accident at Didcot

power Station, one died and three are