:00:13. > :00:20.Order, order, questions to the Secretary of State for Wales.
:00:21. > :00:27.Question number one, Mr Speaker. This government's rail policy is
:00:28. > :00:31.historic and more benefit Wales. We at electrifying the main line all
:00:32. > :00:36.the way to Swansea and we are developing the rail line through ?43
:00:37. > :00:40.million of investment and modernisation. I'd like to thank the
:00:41. > :00:44.Minister for that response. The Department of Transport seems to be
:00:45. > :00:48.making very little progress on the electrification so can I suggest
:00:49. > :00:52.that his minister get together with his colleagues, and I'll come along
:00:53. > :00:56.myself, to get a full engineering survey to find out what the costs
:00:57. > :01:03.are, what the timescale will be of the electrification process. I
:01:04. > :01:10.understand the importance of the North Wales rail mainline for his
:01:11. > :01:18.constituency. We are engaged in a ?43 million process of modernisation
:01:19. > :01:21.but I'd highlight the fact that the vast improvements in services
:01:22. > :01:24.between Chester and Houston, benefiting North Wales, has already
:01:25. > :01:29.happened. I would thoroughly welcome the opportunity to discuss this
:01:30. > :01:33.further with the noble member as part of our strategy of the North
:01:34. > :01:37.Wales growth deal. What the Minister join me in welcoming the recent
:01:38. > :01:43.decision by the office of rail and road to permit regular direct rail
:01:44. > :01:48.services from Chester to Manchester Airport? Would he agree with me that
:01:49. > :01:58.journey times remain to lengthy. With that in mind, will he encourage
:01:59. > :02:04.Network Rail to increase speed and work, in replacing the light switch
:02:05. > :02:09.of Victorian? My honourable friend has touched upon a crucial point and
:02:10. > :02:13.that pay tribute to his works and he came into this house. I remember his
:02:14. > :02:19.first debate where he talked about the importance of the North Wales
:02:20. > :02:23.rail line, and he's right in highlighting the fantastic
:02:24. > :02:27.investment from Reeva trains which will see a crippling of services
:02:28. > :02:34.from London know to Manchester Airport. This is a development most
:02:35. > :02:39.welcome for the people of Wales. We need to modernise the signalling
:02:40. > :02:44.system which is why we have this ?43 million investment. It is
:02:45. > :02:46.interesting to note he did not preclude the decision by a Reeva
:02:47. > :02:56.trains to increase their services dramatically. When the Secretary of
:02:57. > :03:00.State was serving as the Parliamentary undersecretary, he met
:03:01. > :03:04.with my predecessor to discuss a level crossing which causes a
:03:05. > :03:08.significant amount of chaos in my constituency. Would he agree to meet
:03:09. > :03:13.with me and the constituents to carry on those positive discussions
:03:14. > :03:19.about improving the crossing? Can I first of all welcome the honourable
:03:20. > :03:22.gentleman to his place and can I say that I'm aware the Wales office has
:03:23. > :03:27.been working with local governments in relation to that issue. I'd be
:03:28. > :03:32.delighted to meet the honourable member. My first by-election was
:03:33. > :03:36.there, it was a very wet by-election and I'd be delighted to meet the
:03:37. > :03:41.residents of that town again. There is great momentum both in North
:03:42. > :03:44.Wales and north-west England to improve transport links. This is a
:03:45. > :03:49.time for the Welsh government and the UK government to work together
:03:50. > :03:54.to improve those links. Can we therefore have canned because the
:03:55. > :03:58.?43 million the honourable gentleman referred to was actually investment
:03:59. > :04:03.by the Welsh government so will the UK government step up to the plate
:04:04. > :04:08.and invest a penny piece in infrastructure in North Wales
:04:09. > :04:13.because that would be very welcome. I think it is important and
:04:14. > :04:17.imperative we work together, Welsh governments, local government and UK
:04:18. > :04:20.government, in developing transport links which is why we have opened
:04:21. > :04:24.the door for the North Wales growth deal where we are working in
:04:25. > :04:29.partnership with the North Wales ambition board and others. The
:04:30. > :04:35.honourable member is right in saying an effective change will depend on
:04:36. > :04:42.Corporation between Westminster and the Welsh government. The new Welsh
:04:43. > :04:46.government is ready. Cross-party and cross-border. Members of Parliament
:04:47. > :04:52.and local authorities are ready. Most important of the lot, we in
:04:53. > :04:55.North Wales are ready. Can we have a commitment for proper
:04:56. > :04:59.electrification is in top with a growth deal that is worth the name?
:05:00. > :05:04.It is imperative we look very carefully at the best value for
:05:05. > :05:06.money we can have in terms of investment in our transport
:05:07. > :05:11.infrastructure. I accept there is a need to work together but I'd also
:05:12. > :05:14.highlight the fact the CBI and the Federation of small businesses have
:05:15. > :05:19.called upon more action on the Welsh government. There has been ?200
:05:20. > :05:25.million allocated for the a 55 and, yet, we are to seek any action. We
:05:26. > :05:29.need to work together and finger-pointing doesn't work in that
:05:30. > :05:33.respect. Question number two, Mr Speaker. With your permission, can I
:05:34. > :05:38.pay particular tribute to my predecessor, the current Secretary
:05:39. > :05:42.of State at the Department for Work and Pensions for all the work you
:05:43. > :05:45.did when he was Secretary of State in all matters support in Wales,
:05:46. > :05:49.particularly relating to the steel industry. I would say we are doing
:05:50. > :05:54.everything we can to support the sale of Tata Steel UK including
:05:55. > :05:58.offering support to potential buyers with hundreds of millions of pounds.
:05:59. > :06:01.Our discussions with buyers and the Welsh government and the unions
:06:02. > :06:06.continue and we stand ready to negotiate with the preferred edit to
:06:07. > :06:11.ensure the future of still making across Wales and the UK. I thank the
:06:12. > :06:15.Secretary of State for his response. As we know critical meetings are
:06:16. > :06:20.taking place in Mumbai later today. The future of the industry hanging
:06:21. > :06:23.in the balance. What measures has the Secretary of State taken, and
:06:24. > :06:26.his colleagues in the Cabinet, to ensure that a viable and sustainable
:06:27. > :06:31.pension scheme will be developed as a result of the sale of the
:06:32. > :06:34.business? Can hear sure the house that will be something that will be
:06:35. > :06:41.sustainable for the 130,000 members of the scheme? Mr Speaker, I've
:06:42. > :06:47.already spoken to the Secretary of State for business since his
:06:48. > :06:51.meetings with Tata Steel in Mumbai. Pensions is one of those issues
:06:52. > :06:54.under consideration and he will be aware this was highlighted by my
:06:55. > :07:02.right honourable friend at the outset, that pensions, plant and
:07:03. > :07:11.power were three issues. Pensions is a complex issue, it crosses a number
:07:12. > :07:18.of government departments. The sale of steelworks is at a critical
:07:19. > :07:21.stage. It is crucial to the survival of the plant that both governments
:07:22. > :07:27.act with purpose to support a successful buyer for the plant. With
:07:28. > :07:33.a new Welsh government, has my honourable friend discussed away
:07:34. > :07:38.forward to ensure this is the case? I thank my honourable friend and can
:07:39. > :07:42.I pay tribute for the work is doing? His constituency has a number of
:07:43. > :07:48.steelworkers that reside there and for the responsible way he is press
:07:49. > :07:54.the issue that are fundamental to the success of the successful steel
:07:55. > :07:58.sale. I'll save in relation to the Welsh government that I met the
:07:59. > :08:04.first minister earlier this week and we agreed this is our priority and
:08:05. > :08:11.we are continuing in close dialogue to work closely together to ensure
:08:12. > :08:17.that sale. The European Parliament has voted against giving China
:08:18. > :08:24.market economy status. All he presses colleagues to agreed to hire
:08:25. > :08:26.Arabs on Chinese steel? Well, I look forward to meeting the unions that
:08:27. > :08:31.are marching through Westminster later today, as well as the
:08:32. > :08:38.honourable member. We are determined to work with the unions and Tata but
:08:39. > :08:41.market economy status for China is separate to the capacity for the
:08:42. > :08:46.European commission to introduce tariffs. Where they've been
:08:47. > :08:51.introduced, they work. There are 37 trade defence measures imposed at
:08:52. > :08:55.the moment, wire rod imported down to 99%, and I could highlight a
:08:56. > :08:59.range of other speciality steels so let's not confuse the two. Market
:09:00. > :09:05.economy status and the capacity to introduce these measures. Steel was
:09:06. > :09:11.a significant element in Wales' ?5 billion worth of exports to the EU
:09:12. > :09:15.in 2015. That is a third of the whole of the Welsh government's
:09:16. > :09:23.total budget. Will he make the positive case for the advantages of
:09:24. > :09:29.the profitability in remaining in the EU? The honourable member is
:09:30. > :09:33.right. 69% of still produced in the UK is exported to the European
:09:34. > :09:37.Union. Access to that single European market is fundamental for
:09:38. > :09:44.the steel industry and also fundamental to attracting the buyer.
:09:45. > :09:49.This was the point I was saying. The steel produced at Port Talbot is
:09:50. > :09:53.transported to Corby and used to produce steel tubes so what steps
:09:54. > :09:59.are ministers taking to make the case that it is vital to keep that
:10:00. > :10:04.supply chain together as one? Can I pay tribute to my honourable friend
:10:05. > :10:08.in the way he is representing the interests of his constituents? He
:10:09. > :10:13.recognises the interdependency all of these plants, such as the site in
:10:14. > :10:18.Corby, and Port Talbot and others in the UK. We are talking to suppliers
:10:19. > :10:24.on a regular basis because we need to maintain confidence that they
:10:25. > :10:29.will be able to continue buying steel. That is in the interest of
:10:30. > :10:36.workers and the economy. Is he inspired by the minor miracle that
:10:37. > :10:41.has taken place in Newport where the enterprising workforce have bought
:10:42. > :10:46.the dead Alpha steel company back to productive life? Isn't this spirit
:10:47. > :10:50.of entrepreneurship am a corporation by the workforce, hope and
:10:51. > :10:51.confidence is the way to stage a renaissance of the interpreters to
:10:52. > :11:02.industry? The honourable member is right in
:11:03. > :11:05.the interest of Celebrities feel demonstrates the diameters in the
:11:06. > :11:11.industry. They have reopened the plant to close some time ago and
:11:12. > :11:14.they see it as the future and British steel-making and I hope we
:11:15. > :11:22.will continue to use that momentum to secure a deal for the whole of
:11:23. > :11:25.the Tata operations in the UK. Given the secretary of state's previous
:11:26. > :11:31.answer on the effectiveness of palates why does the UK Government
:11:32. > :11:36.keep being at the head of a blocking minority? -- paddocks. Is it not the
:11:37. > :11:41.case the Government has not done enough to save the British steel
:11:42. > :11:45.industry? The honourable member is confusing the impact of the lesser
:11:46. > :11:49.duty rule. That relates to the framework and there are currently 30
:11:50. > :11:59.73 defensive measures in place and with the EU Commission has acted
:12:00. > :12:04.they at a significant effect. I could highlight a whole range of
:12:05. > :12:08.speciality steels where the tariffs are working within the duty rule.
:12:09. > :12:14.There would be an impact on other manufacturers and we must work
:12:15. > :12:24.within the rule because it operates effectively. Question three, Mr
:12:25. > :12:26.Speaker. " The two begin a truly accountable, the Welsh Government
:12:27. > :12:31.must take responsibility for raising more of the money it spends and that
:12:32. > :12:36.is why as part of the wheels Bill we will devolve income tax powers to
:12:37. > :12:39.the Welsh Assembly. I look forward to working alongside the Welsh
:12:40. > :12:43.Government to implement these powers. I got my right honourable
:12:44. > :12:51.friend would agree that while the Welsh Government are profligate in
:12:52. > :12:56.many ways the railway line expansion will be helpful to the entire
:12:57. > :13:00.economy and all citizens who realised investment in transport is
:13:01. > :13:07.the because to economic prosperity. My honourable friend is right. There
:13:08. > :13:12.are several examples of how the comedy strange priorities of the
:13:13. > :13:19.Welsh Assembly Government 's. Investment and railways as a
:13:20. > :13:22.priority highlighted by the electrification of the line which
:13:23. > :13:26.will provide greater opportunities for real trouble such as the upgrade
:13:27. > :13:31.of the Valley lines which concern provides a knock-on effect of rural
:13:32. > :13:34.communities. Air passenger duty has already been devolved to the
:13:35. > :13:38.Northern Ireland Assembly and shortly will be devolved to the
:13:39. > :13:42.Scottish Parliament is what the budget did not propose it be
:13:43. > :13:47.devolved to the Welsh Assembly. We'll be secretary of state support
:13:48. > :13:51.this and if not, why not? I say to the honourable lady that rates of
:13:52. > :13:56.taxation, including air passenger duty, is a matter for the
:13:57. > :13:59.Chancellor. He always keeps levels of taxes under review and she will
:14:00. > :14:05.be well aware that the Treasury are looking at this matter and will
:14:06. > :14:10.report in due course. If you years ago and Boston, Massachusetts if you
:14:11. > :14:14.are revolutionaries said no taxation without representation. Does he
:14:15. > :14:21.agree with me it is very important the Welsh Assembly to take advantage
:14:22. > :14:27.of the Welsh bill and do imply and do have their own income tax? I am
:14:28. > :14:31.grateful to my honourable friend and the continued interest he shows them
:14:32. > :14:37.on wheels. I want the Welsh Assembly to be a mature legislator taking
:14:38. > :14:41.more responsibility for the money it spends by raising money itself. Its
:14:42. > :14:47.will become truly accountable to the people of Wales Mac and it will have
:14:48. > :14:54.to look differently at the spending priorities and commitments. Number
:14:55. > :14:59.four. Small businesses are leading the economic recovery in Wales and
:15:00. > :15:06.are now 30,000 more employing 65,000 more people than in 2010. Watch them
:15:07. > :15:09.accounting for more than 90% of all businesses and Wales the UK
:15:10. > :15:15.Government recognises the important contribution to the growth of the
:15:16. > :15:20.Welsh economy. He will also be aware of the Chancellor's recent budget
:15:21. > :15:22.announcement to either reduce greatly or remove completely
:15:23. > :15:27.business rates for the smallest businesses has gone down very well
:15:28. > :15:33.and bulges advantages. Can he tell the house what steps is he taking to
:15:34. > :15:41.make sure businesses in Wales will also benefit? He is perfectly bright
:15:42. > :15:46.and highly in the way in which the announcement was welcomed across
:15:47. > :15:54.small businesses in England and the Welsh office is calling to replicate
:15:55. > :15:57.these steps to ensure small towns and cities and their businesses
:15:58. > :16:03.benefit in the same way from the changes are being implemented in
:16:04. > :16:08.England. The Welsh Government has done well and attracting investment
:16:09. > :16:12.but in terms of business confidence, Devon at the Brexit, what will the
:16:13. > :16:17.Government do to shore up certainties about the real life
:16:18. > :16:21.electrification and supporting Swansea as the city in terms of city
:16:22. > :16:25.deals? The honourable gentleman should be aware the Welsh office is
:16:26. > :16:31.working closely with the Treasury to develop a Swansea City Deal.
:16:32. > :16:37.Electrification of the main line to Swansea as part of that and also a
:16:38. > :16:47.review to look at the viability to ensure it offers value for
:16:48. > :16:50.taxpayers. 242,000 jobs are directly or indirectly dependent on a
:16:51. > :16:55.successful tourist industry. Can I invite the Minister to concede one
:16:56. > :16:59.of the ways we can boost those businesses is a reduction in VAT on
:17:00. > :17:05.hospitality and tourism or raising the threshold in which those small
:17:06. > :17:08.businesses should pay VAT? The honourable member is a champion for
:17:09. > :17:13.this issue and has been ever since I have been in this place. I share his
:17:14. > :17:22.view of the tourism industry in Wales. It is a success story. The
:17:23. > :17:26.tourism industry in my constituency and his constituency is doing very
:17:27. > :17:32.well at this point in time, regardless of changes to VAT. Mr
:17:33. > :17:36.Speaker, as the minister well knows, many of our small businesses and
:17:37. > :17:40.Wales are dependent on the steel industry and they will be anxiously
:17:41. > :17:44.awaiting the outcome of the meeting in Mumbai today. The terms of the
:17:45. > :17:49.package his Government proposes will be crucial to any potential deal.
:17:50. > :18:00.Can he come from his Government will do everything it takes to secure a
:18:01. > :18:02.successful future for steel industry? She is absolutely right
:18:03. > :18:05.and highlighting the importance of the steel industry, not just direct
:18:06. > :18:08.employment but also supply chains. I can assure the honourable lady that
:18:09. > :18:13.this office and UK Government are doing everything in our powers to
:18:14. > :18:20.ensure the steel industry and the skilled supply chain is protected in
:18:21. > :18:24.the future. Many of our small businesses will also be concerned
:18:25. > :18:29.about the EU referendum. Not least those in the Welsh agricultural
:18:30. > :18:33.sector which received some ?350 million a year from the Common
:18:34. > :18:36.agricultural policy. The Wales Office Minister previously confront
:18:37. > :18:42.in the event of a Brexit vote there is no certainty the Government would
:18:43. > :18:46.replace these funds. Does the Minister agree it is in the very
:18:47. > :18:52.best interests of Welsh farming and the broader Welsh economy we should
:18:53. > :18:57.remain in the EU? The honourable lady is right to highlight the
:18:58. > :19:00.importance of the agricultural industry for Wales. Around 60,000
:19:01. > :19:07.people are directly employed in the sector. I thoroughly subscribe to
:19:08. > :19:12.the viewpoints at the Welsh agricultural sector will be
:19:13. > :19:19.protected if we vote to remain in the EU. Number five, Mr Speaker.
:19:20. > :19:22.The labour market in Wales is going from strength to strength. The
:19:23. > :19:27.figures last week delivered a hat-trick of good news for the bulge
:19:28. > :19:31.economy. Employment is at a record high, unemployment at the lowest
:19:32. > :19:37.level since 2008 and the number of people in the claimant count
:19:38. > :19:41.continues to fall. I thank the Minister. Use these voters not sure
:19:42. > :19:45.that the Government welfare reforms are working in Wales and helping
:19:46. > :19:50.employment for ordinary people. -- do these measures not sure? I was
:19:51. > :19:55.recently visiting Cardiff with the Minister for employment and what was
:19:56. > :19:59.inspiring was the way the team at the Cardiff job centre highlighted
:20:00. > :20:05.the way in which Universal Credit and the flexibility offered by its
:20:06. > :20:09.is encouraging people back to work. The Minister will have seen this
:20:10. > :20:15.week's Treasury assessment of the impact of withdrawal from the EU.
:20:16. > :20:20.Could you give us his view of what the impact would be of that
:20:21. > :20:26.assessment on the Welsh economy? The honourable gentleman, right
:20:27. > :20:29.honourable gentlemen is aware of my position on this. I passionately
:20:30. > :20:35.believe the Welsh economy is stronger as part of the EU. Whether
:20:36. > :20:39.manufacturing, agricultural industry or small businesses, the stability
:20:40. > :20:46.and certainty of being part of the EU is good for Wales and good for
:20:47. > :20:51.small business in Wales. The unemployment levels and tired of are
:20:52. > :20:57.at a record low at 1.7%. Does the Minister agree with me to support
:20:58. > :21:00.this trend is the new Welsh Government must deliver on
:21:01. > :21:04.infrastructure promises such as the M4 relief road and other projects
:21:05. > :21:08.this Government has given hundreds of millions of pounds towards? My
:21:09. > :21:13.honourable friend has been a champion for Cardiff since he was
:21:14. > :21:17.elected. The ?500 million contribution for the UK Government
:21:18. > :21:20.to the City Deal in Cardiff will be essential for employment growth and
:21:21. > :21:27.the continued success of Cardiff but we must keep up the pressure. The
:21:28. > :21:30.questions over the relief road on a barrier to growth and the honourable
:21:31. > :21:35.member is right to raise concerns over these delays. Order. A great
:21:36. > :21:38.many people in Wales will be attending to these proceedings and
:21:39. > :21:46.they must inform the house that today we are visited by the eminent
:21:47. > :21:50.figure Connaught Charles Bowden from Rangoon and Burma and we want to
:21:51. > :21:54.impress them, not only was the quality of our interrogation but
:21:55. > :22:08.with the decency of our behaviour. A little less noise would be helpful.
:22:09. > :22:11.Number six. I was delighted to visit S4C last week to see the
:22:12. > :22:16.developments at the channel for the launch of the HD service in time for
:22:17. > :22:25.the EU -- European Championships and we wish Chris Coleman and the boys
:22:26. > :22:29.well. What assurances can he get the UK Government's review into S4C will
:22:30. > :22:33.not be compromised as it will be conducted after the BBC Charter
:22:34. > :22:38.review us and he can from all options will be on the table
:22:39. > :22:42.including securing an independent financial stream for S4C funded from
:22:43. > :22:47.public service broadcasting and direct Government support? I'm
:22:48. > :22:53.grateful to the honourable member for the question. He will recognise
:22:54. > :22:56.a fundamental principle is operational and editorial
:22:57. > :23:01.independence. The BBC White Paper offers protection and support for
:23:02. > :23:06.S4C but there is a ongoing review which will look at all these matters
:23:07. > :23:17.such as governance, and finance to secure a long-term future for the
:23:18. > :23:22.channel. Order. Mr Glen Davis. S4C is crucially important to Wales and
:23:23. > :23:24.in particular to the Welsh language. Does my honourable friend for the
:23:25. > :23:29.secretary of state agree that the Welsh language is too often seen as
:23:30. > :23:34.a secondary line which in Wales. It is not, it is at least equal first.
:23:35. > :23:38.I am grateful to the honourable member for his question. This
:23:39. > :23:43.Government has a strong record in supporting S4C but the Conservative
:23:44. > :23:48.Government has a strong record in establishing S4C, in establishing
:23:49. > :23:52.the Welsh language Act concerning around the decline we saw previously
:23:53. > :23:57.in the Welsh language so we should be proud about our heritage and
:23:58. > :24:07.language. It through Conservative policy. Number eight, Mr Speaker.
:24:08. > :24:11.With your permission, Mr Speaker, I will answer questions at seven and
:24:12. > :24:14.eight together. At the regular European Council of the Government
:24:15. > :24:19.negotiated new settlements giving you did the special status in a
:24:20. > :24:24.reform EU. As I said in my speech in Swansea last week I believe Wales
:24:25. > :24:30.and the UK will be stronger, safer and better off remaining in a
:24:31. > :24:37.reformed EU. Seven and nine, for the avoidance of doubt. 80% of Welsh
:24:38. > :24:42.farmers depend on, agricultural payments from the EU. The vast
:24:43. > :24:47.majority export their goods to the EU. Given Wales receives ?245
:24:48. > :24:51.million more from the EU that it puts on what assurances can the
:24:52. > :24:55.Secretary of State give the loss to these farmers will be plugged by the
:24:56. > :25:00.UK Government in the event of a Brexit? The Welsh economy is showing
:25:01. > :25:04.some spectacular employment figures currently with more people in work
:25:05. > :25:14.than ever before. The claimant count falling and employment rate well
:25:15. > :25:16.below that of the UK average. That economic success is based on a
:25:17. > :25:21.stable economic policy and all of the independent forecasts show there
:25:22. > :25:30.will be a negative impact should we leave the single European market. EU
:25:31. > :25:35.programmes such as a Rasmus bring enormous benefits to young people
:25:36. > :25:38.and Wales, broaden experience and strengthening employability. Does
:25:39. > :25:41.the Minister agree ensuring work benefits and continue to benefit
:25:42. > :25:46.from such programmes are just one of many good reasons to vote Remain? I
:25:47. > :25:50.would like to advise the house and the honourable member the new
:25:51. > :25:54.Rasmussen programme was developed by Port Talbot man some years ago and
:25:55. > :26:00.has provided fantastic opportunities to students across Europe to share
:26:01. > :26:05.best practice and broaden their knowledge. -- Erassmus. The European
:26:06. > :26:09.investment back has also invested hugely in higher education and the
:26:10. > :26:16.new Swansea University campus is benefit but it perform at their best
:26:17. > :26:20.vacation. The Minister will surely have seen the report from Cardiff
:26:21. > :26:25.University yesterday showing Britain pays nearly ?10 billion a year to be
:26:26. > :26:31.part of the EU. If we took that money under the Barnett formula does
:26:32. > :26:40.he agree that money could be half a million -- half ?1 billion better
:26:41. > :26:43.off if we bought leave? That a vote to leave. My honourable friend is
:26:44. > :26:49.failing to recognise the impact of all of the independent forecasts,
:26:50. > :26:56.the IMF, the OECD, the governor of the back of England who talks about
:26:57. > :27:01.the negative effect on Brexit on the Welsh economy. Cost 24,000 jobs.
:27:02. > :27:11.That is a step we cannot afford to take. Is it the case that Wales
:27:12. > :27:15.Office special advisers had a meeting with representatives of the
:27:16. > :27:22.Burton stronger in Europe campaign and if so what did they discuss? --
:27:23. > :27:25.Britain stronger in Europe. We discussed a range of issues
:27:26. > :27:32.affecting the world economy and the Brexit will do so in a negative way,
:27:33. > :27:36.?2 million cost of the Welsh economy, 24,000 jobs. We are seeing
:27:37. > :27:40.some spectacular employment data currently but that is based on
:27:41. > :27:46.strong economic conditions and access to 500 million customers
:27:47. > :27:50.across Europe. Given Wales is already underfunded by the Barnett
:27:51. > :27:56.formula what a detailed guarantees can be secretary of state give to
:27:57. > :28:03.the 245 million will actually reach Wales? I don't recognise the basis
:28:04. > :28:05.of the question. The honourable lady forgets the historical funding for
:28:06. > :28:10.but my right honourable friend the Chancellor introduced which
:28:11. > :28:18.demonstrates the strength and commitment this Government is
:28:19. > :28:22.showing to Wales. Will the secretary of state join me in welcoming the
:28:23. > :28:26.fights that Toyota have made it clear that they will continue to
:28:27. > :28:34.manufacture in the United Kingdom, including at their plant in Wales
:28:35. > :28:43.regardless of the fact as to whether the British people vote to leave the
:28:44. > :28:47.EU on the 23rd of June. I will certainly recognise the comments
:28:48. > :28:52.that are made by Toyota because they specifically said, "British
:28:53. > :29:00.membership of the EU is the best for our operators and the long-term
:29:01. > :29:04.competitiveness." It is not only to water, there are 150 component
:29:05. > :29:09.industries in the automotive sector that they bent on companies like
:29:10. > :29:12.Toyota, Ford who want us to the main part of the single EU market.
:29:13. > :29:31.Questions to THE SPEAKER: There's a process to
:29:32. > :29:35.follow. Wait his turn! Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, as always.
:29:36. > :29:42.The Prime Minister's attending the G7 in Japan. I've been asked to
:29:43. > :29:46.reply on his MAFF. This morning I'd meetings in ministerial colleagues.