08/03/2017 House of Commons

Good morning and welcome to BBC Parliament's live coverage on a

special Parliamentary day in the Commons. In half an hour, Theresa

May will be facing the Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, plus

backbench MPs for the latest round of Prime Minister's Questions was

then at around 4:30pm, the Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip

Hammond will be delivering his spring budget to MPs. The first part

of the Chancellor's statement is generally a review of the nation's

finances, the second half will range over the Chancellor's new measures.

Jeremy Corbyn will reply on behalf of the opposition. MPs will debate

the measures in the budget for four days. Don't forget to join me Keith

McDougal for a round-up of the day in both Houses of Parliament at 11

o'clock at night, ahead of questions to the Welsh Secretary, the house

tills briefly with a local ball. -- local built was the second reading,

what day? Wednesday 15th of March, sir. Order, questions to the

Secretary of State for Wales, Stuart see McDonald.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, can I see and encourage the whole house to

recognise it is International Women's Day and I know there are

events in parliament and across government. I have regular

discussions with the Secretary of State for Brexit the European Union

to ensure that I accept is a success, as members of the EU joint

committee on negotiations, we are committed to working closely with

the devolved administrations to ensure that exiting the European

Union is a fair and stronger outcome. I join with welcoming

International Women's Day. Welsh Finance Secretary Mark Redford

voiced concerns over grabbing new powers like farming and fishing that

should without question go directly to Cardiff and Edinburgh under

existing devolution settlements. Can the Secretary of State give a

cast-iron guarantee there will be no such attempt to undermine and

rollback on devolution? Mr Speaker, we have already said no decision is

currently taken by the devolved administrations will be removed from

them and we will use the return of decision-making from Europe back to

the UK to strengthen devolution and to strengthen the union. On behalf

of the people of Wales, well my right honourable friend tell the

Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union that nobody, not the

unelected House of Lords and nobody else, is going to stand in the way

of the will of the Welsh people to have their freedom? I think that my

honourable friend is reminding us that Wales voted to leave the

European Union at the recent referendum, and I think there is an

obligation on the government and on both houses to accept the outcome of

that referendum. A hard Brexit would be bad for jobs in Wales. One of the

highest unemployment rates in the country, yet the DWP are proposing

shutting the job centre. With the Secretary of State meet with me to

talk about supporting people into work? I will happily meet with the

honourable member, I don't necessarily recognise the messages

saying about the approach we are taking the Brexit. We want a deal

that works for every part of the United Kingdom, but on the issue of

employment and unemployment, I am sure that he will welcome that

unemployment across Wales is lower than the UK average, which is

remarkable considering the industrial average in constituencies

like his and elsewhere in Wales but I will happily work with him. Also

yesterday in his evidence to the Brexit select committee, Cabinet

secretary Mark Draper had said that the Welsh government does gracefully

was not made aware of the UK Government's four point Brexit plan

or the white Paper. What is he doing to ensure that the Plaid Cymru White

Paper is fed into the Article 50 letter and accompanying documents?

The Welsh government's White Paper on exiting the European Union was

considered by the joint Mysterio committee at the end of February.

There is a significant amount of common ground in that paper. The

Welsh government talk about unfettered access. My right

honourable friend the Prime Minister has talked about frictionless access

in trade. There is a lot of common ground on this we can work with and

I am optimistic that we will continue to work in a positive

environment with the Welsh government and with the devolved

administrations to secure the Brexit deal that works for every part of

the United Kingdom. Number two, Mr Speaker. My right will friend the

Secretary of State and I hold regular discussions to champion the

businesses and people of North Wales was our commitment is demonstrated

by the government's ?212 million investment in HMP and we have open

the doors to further strengthen the region's economy. The mercy the

Alliance meets tomorrow, it has presented a cohesive, coherent

transport plan for improvement of links between North Wales and the

rest of the country. Will the government give is not just warm

words but a financial commitment to North Wales to match the investment

that is put in by the Welsh government? The honourable gentleman

knows that his support for the transfer better connectivity between

North Wales and the north-west of England is something supported by

the Wales Office very strongly. The proposals made by stakeholders in

North Wales are being given serious consideration but I wouldn't want to

prejudge any financial decision made by other departments in Westminster.

Is the minister aware of significant concerns among the local authorities

covering North Wales, West Cheshire, is Cheshire, Warrington and others

at the inadequacy of the current proposals for the HS2 station at

Crewe, both in terms of line routing and platform at junction

arrangements? Will he undertake to ensure a fit for purpose Crewe hub

station? I would like to pay tribute to my honourable friend on the work

he is doing. I think my honourable friend recognises the potential of

HS2 to be a way in which we can open the door to greater connectivity.

The Conservancy has raised about the Crewe hard in some thing I

recognise, it is something -- hub. -- the concerns he has raised. I

would be more than pleased to have a meeting with with him at any point.

I look forward to welcoming the Secretary of State tomorrow to my

constituency and seeing the importance of connectivity between

Wales, Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom. On the issue of

broadband, can I ask the Parliamentary undersecretary, with

the universal service obligation, has he made the case to the

department of finance to roll out that extra 5%? The honourable

gentleman is well-known for championing Anglesey. I thoroughly

agree with him on the importance of connectivity, both digitally and by

road and rail. The Wales Office is continually making the case to make

sure that the whole of the UK is well served by the digital economy

as we exit the EU. Given the interconnected nature, constituents

like mine, as my honourable friend agree that collaboration is

essential for people living on the borders? My honourable friend makes

a very important point. I was in mid Wales over the weekend and there is

no doubt that connectivity is part of day-to-day life in mid wells and

I would endorse the fact that we need to cooperate both in government

and in business across the Wales England border. On the matter of

Brexit, we have seen that Lord Heseltine has been ousted from

government. Will the Minister tell us what hope we have of securing

deals for the rest of Wales when experts are axed at the whim of

insecure executives fearful of Parliamentary in serenity? The

honourable lady highlight an issue in the news today. The important

thing to highlight is the Swansea region deal is a bottom-up agenda.

Lord Heseltine did contribute significant expertise when there was

a challenge session and I am sure that we will have -- confident we

will have a deal and further growth deals for Wales as a result of the

work this government is doing to ensure that Wales benefits from

investment in the same way as any other part of the United Kingdom.

Can I bring the minister back to North Wales, and its connectivity

through my own constituency? In his response to my friend for Rex, he

seemed to pass the buck to another part of government. That is not good

enough. -- for Wrexham. Will he make sure that this government and its

silos to the restricted activity between Wales and its cities and

will he arrange a meeting with different ministers and us as MPs

who want to see more investment between North Wales and Merseyside?

I am very happy to be brought back to North Wales, as a North Wales

member, that is nothing other than a pleasure for myself but can I just

said to the honourable lady, this government is moving ahead with a

cross-border growth deal, which will benefit North Wales and the

north-west of England. The aim is to improve connectivity between North

Wales and the cities of Liverpool and Manchester, and I am very proud

for example the fact there are now 57 trains a week going for my

constituency to Manchester. We need more of that to improve the economy

of North Wales and the north-west of England. Happy International Women's

Day to all the women across the world, and especially my daughter

who has been my inspiration. Last week, Welsh government economy and

infrastructure Minister Ken Scates launched the vision for North Wales,

entitled moving north Wales forward. When will the Minister be launching

his vision for North Wales? First of all may I welcome the honourable

lady to her place. I am delighted to respond to her questions on

International Women's Day. In relation to the vision for North

Wales, I am disappointed that the Welsh government's vision for North

Wales seems to be a vision for North East Wales. This government has a

vision for connectivity across the whole of North Wales. Question under

three. I am delighted that the use of Wales -- Welsh, held both in

Wales and here at Westminster. This is just one example of how we are

looking to promote the Welsh language throughout the UK. I may

represent an English constituency but I am also proud of my Welsh

ancestry. Will he therefore welcomed the increased viewer figures for S4C

in England? My honourable friend makes an important point, it was

highlighted me that since the partnership between S4C and BBC has

seen ten one players on the iPlayer, the largest growing figures have

been in England with a 25% growth over the last year alone. This must

be welcomed by everybody who cares about the Welsh language and

culture. The funding last year for S4C was

?6.7 million, but next year it is ?6.1 million. How does that square

with a manifesto commitment to protect funding for S4C? Honourable

member is aware that the commitment made was that the funding for S4C

would be frozen until after the delivery of a review of S4C, and I

am certain there will be an announcement that the funding will

be frozen until after the review has taken place. I proudly served on the

Welsh language built during the John Major government, so I am fully in

favour of the Welsh language, but can we have some consistency on road

signs? In some areas, Welsh is first followed by English, in others it is

vice versa. It make life complicated. I think the whole house

is aware of the honourable gentleman's commitment and support

for Wales and his support for Welsh questions. It's interesting but, in

relation to road signs, it's a question of localism. It is a

devolved issue. Whether local authority wants Welsh first, Welsh

is first. Where it is English first, the local authority can choose to do

that. Can I press the Minister father when he says he is certainly

a positive announcement will be made with Schumacher can he guarantee the

freeze will be carried on until the review of S4C is concluded? S4C do

marvellous work across Wales and the world and they need reassurance

their funding will be frozen again. The honourable gentleman is well

known for his support for S4C and the Welsh language. This department

is committed to ensuring that commitment is delivered but, more

importantly, we need a long-term agreement on the future of S4C, and

the point of this review is to ensure that S4C not only has a

decent financial situation for this financial year but that it is on a

strong footing for the future. This institution has spent four centuries

disrespecting the Welsh language, which existed and was a

sophisticated literary language for 1000 years before English existed.

We pay tribute to the late Gwyn Roberts and my friend,...

HE SPEAKS WELSH. I say to the honourable gentleman

that the deployment of another language should in all courtesy be

immediately followed by a translation from those who would

benefit from it. But we can say that for another occasion. The honourable

gentleman finished his comments by saying, long may be language live,

and I would subscribe to that. I am grateful for him highlighting my

predecessor's work in relation to the Welsh language act and the work

that he did in relation to Welsh language education. The fact is that

the Welsh language is no longer a political football and it should

never be a political football again. We all need to support it in all

parties across Wales. The SNP support the Welsh language. Would he

used his office to reciprocate the good wishes of the SNP and urged the

BBC to fund BBC Alba to the same levels? So we have the same support

for Welsh and Gaelic, as they rightly supported across the UK? I

have a fond recollection of having a holiday on the Isle of Barra when I

was ten and hearing the Scots language spoken in the streets. I

understand that BBC Alba have had an increase of over ?1 million, which

is to be welcomed, and I would say the situation in Scotland is that

people want to support language of Scotland in the same way as people

in Wales want to support Welsh. Wales is in exporting nation. Welsh

lamb and whiskey and sea salt are all known well beyond our borders,

but we can do more and on Monday I posted a business export summit in

Cardiff to ensure that businesses in Wales have full access to UK

Government support for export. Could he tell the hell is the steps he is

taking to engage and understand the needs of smaller businesses in Wales

as we negotiate to leave the European Union? I think my

honourable friend recognises the global trading ambition that this

government holds. There are 1200 staff in the department for

international trade across 109 countries, and any business based in

Swansea is entitled to the same support as any business based in

Swindon, and I would encourage them to use the department for

international trade. 44% of trade goes to the EU but in Wales 70% goes

to the EU, and the CBI of producers last week in Swansea told me it is

imperative that we retain access to the single market and customs union.

The people of Wales did not vote to leave those but can he give his

assurances that he will do everything he can to keep that going

so that our exports are free to keep continuing? On Monday I held an

event to promote exports not only to Europe but all parts of the globe.

Clearly there are great opportunities in 4000 Welsh

companies which took their first steps towards exporting last year

but Europe is an important market, we want frictionless trade, but we

also want to look to the great opportunities that exiting the EU

will bring to businesses across the UK. There is an excessive number of

noisy private conversations. I understand the sense of

anticipation, but it is unfair on the member asking the question and

the minister answering. Let's have a decent audience for Mr Stephen

Crabb. Despite Wales having world leading companies that contribute to

humanitarian efforts in some of the poorest nations on earth, no Welsh

company has been able to secure a contract with the Department for

International Development. Would my honourable friend look into this and

work with the excellent development Secretary to not only make the

department more pro-business but more pro-Welsh business as well? He

raises an important point, and he has been a strong champion for Wales

and also someone who has shown a strong interest in matters of

overseas development. I will happily work with him and my right

honourable friend, the Secretary of State, in order to ensure that Welsh

businesses get the same opportunities as any UK business to

win contracts and help them develop and support in those nations. In St

David's Day celebrations, Wales 's First Minister, Carwyn Jones,

declared that Wales is open for business. Last week, he spent four

days in America boosting post Brexit trade between the USA and Wales.

Does the Secretary of State plan to visit the USA and recruit more

business for Wales? Can I also welcome the honourable lady to the

dispatch box for her first Welsh questions. Last week, the

announcement was made up ?20 million investment for which the UK and

Welsh governments worked together to land at significant employment

opportunity that will secure 1200 jobs for more than two decades

ahead. My right honourable friend, the Secretary of State for

international trade and I, working closely. He always rightly

underlines that every business in Wales is entitled to the same

support as any business in England, and I am working closely with him

not only on that but on trade missions as well. I recently met

with the unions and, following the positive outcome of the recent

ballot, it is now vital that all parties work together to deliver on

the agreed proposals. We will continue to engage in the sector as

well as with the unions, the devolved nations and other partners

as we seek to find a long-term, viable solution for the industry.

International trade secretary is said to have said that the

government should ignore those who argue for protection. Will the

Secretary of State agree to argue for a proper trade defence mechanism

for steel, which is what is required? I hope the honourable

member will look to the positive records of this government, in spite

of the scaremongering by many of the members opposite. There are 41 trade

measures already in place, and the outcomes of the results speak for

themselves. We have reduced into the EU by 29%, and orders have fallen by

99%. The statistics speak for themselves. This government is

determined to take the right action to support free trade and Welsh and

UK businesses in industry. Can my right honourable friend update the

house on what action has been taken to ensure that Welsh steel is used

in British procurement across the UK? My honourable friend is right.

Significant steps have been taken since 12 months ago, when the crisis

broke. Energy intensive industries support has meant that ?134 million

has now been paid to the steel sector. I have already mentioned

their 41 trade defence measures in place. We have introduced

flexibility over EU emissions regulations. We are determined to

ensure everything will be done to make the industry sustainable

long-term. There has been much discussion in the last week about

the automotive industry, especially Ford in Bridgend and the position of

Vauxhall. They both have major importance to Wales. The present of

a domestic steel industry is key to our own automotive industry, so can

the Minister confirm what discussions he has had with his

colleagues regarding both industries and what assurances he can give to

both industries that the government commitment? I am grateful to the

honourable mother for his question, and the Secretary of State for

business energy and industrial strategy and I are in regular

communications, not only about steel but also the automotive sector.

Although Ellesmere port is not in Wales, there are clearly a

significant number of Welsh employees in the workforce. I would

hope the honourable member would take encouragement from the major

investments, such as Nissan in Sunderland. There are 100 automotive

component industries based in Wales that will have access to those

contracts. Number six Mr Speaker. The government has confirmed its

commitment to the Cardiff city deal, which will provide an investment

fund for the region and support electrification of the Valley Lines.

There are great and deployment opportunities for those living in

some of Wales's most deprived communities. The scope, planning and

delivery of electrification is a matter for the Welsh government.

That is a pitiful answer. It doesn't answer the question at all. The

former Secretary of State for Transport, the member for west

Derbyshire, who is sitting there, talking to the present Secretary of

State for Transport, told this house in October 2012 it would be finished

by May 2015, and they haven't even started. When will he make sure that

my constituents get the proper service they require? Clean trains,

disabled access, proper toilets and a service that doesn't break down.

Well, I think the whole house enjoys the rhetoric from the honourable

member for Rhondda, but it would appear... There is far too much

noise in the chamber. One cannot fail to hear the honourable

gentleman for Rhondda, but I want to the Minister's reply was to it would

appear that the honourable manner that does understand the way that

evolution works. The city deal has been agreed with the Welsh

government, but the scope, planning and delivery is for the Welsh

government, so I would advise him to speak to his colleagues in the Welsh

government. With the arrival of electrification in south Wales and

the government's investment in the new bimodal trains, which is greatly

welcomed, we need the correct infrastructure to ensure the people

in south-west Wales benefit, which could be realised by the creation of

a parkway station at Swansea. Will my right honourable friend meet with

me to discuss this? , congratulate my honourable member for the work he

is doing in ensuring that south-west Wales also benefits from the

electrification of the great western mainline. I would be delighted to

meet him to discuss the proposals for a Swansea Parkway station, which

would be a huge boost for that city as we move towards a city deal.

White Paper Securing Wales' Future was submitted to... We are

discussing detailed proposals with the Welsh government. Does the

Minister realised the difference between discussing a paper and

taking action on it? When are the devolved government is going to have

any proper kitchen taken on their strategies? Will we just be left

with the scraps from the table? Mr Speaker, I hope the honourable

member would recognise that there is a significant amount of common

ground between the Welsh government's paper and the 12

principles my right honourable friend, the Prime Minister, as

outlined. This government is determined to deliver a deal works

for every part of the UK, and we have already said no decision is

currently taken by the devolved administrations will be removed from

them, and that we will use the return of power from Europe to the

UK to devolution, but also to strengthen the union of the UK. Over

5000 EU students study in Wales, and over 1300 EU academics teach and

research here. The Welsh- EU White Paper is clear. Their position must

be assured. Why will his government not adopt this elementary piece of

economic good sense? My right honourable friend, the Prime

Minister and others have said that we want to seek the earliest

agreement to secure the status of EU nationals living in the UK and UK

nationals living in the EU. It is not in our interests to undermine

anyone's sector. We would like to press for an early agreement, but it

takes two people to come to that. Today on international women's day

my constituent will be studying for her final exams and electrical

engineering. She is likely to get a first in a field with a little world

shortage of qualified people and women in particular. Had this

Government had its way she would have been deported last week. The

honourable member will know we do not respond in individual cases but

I think the honourable member will know the detail himself and the

latest situation relating to that. I would hope it would also recognise

an international women's day that there is no other nation across the

European Union that has lower unemployment for women and that

nation is Wales. I hope he will recognise that. Questions to the

Prime Minister. I am sure members across the whole House will wish to

join me in marking International women's