Wales Questions House of Commons

Good morning and welcome to BBC

Parliament's coverage of the House

of Commons. In half an hour, Theresa

May will be at the dispatch box for

her showdown with Jeremy Corbyn at

Withdrawal Bill. The rebels want to

insert a legal guarantee that MPs

should get a vote on any Brexit deal

before it is finalised. The votes

are expected to be held this

evening. Please join me for a

round-up of the day in both Houses

of Parliament at about 11 o'clock,

votes permitting. First questions to

the Secretary of State for Wales,

Alun Cairns.

Order, order. Questions to the

Secretary of State for Wales.

Question number one.

Thank you, Mr

Speaker. Before answering question

one I would like to welcome the

Shadow Secretary of State back to

her position. With permission I will

answer questions one and 12

together. I hold regular discussions

with the Secretary of State for

Exiting the European Union and other

Cabinet colleagues. My right

honourable friend, the First

Secretary of State and I can read

recently met local government

leaders in Wales to discuss issues

affecting them as we leave the

European Union.

Join the referendum,

boaters are assured that Wales will

not be 1p worse off as a result of

leaving the EU. -- voters. Will the

Secretary of State assure the House

that the structure of investment in

Wales will continue after March,

2019?

We have already committed to

honouring those commitments made. We

want to seek an implementation

period which may well involve those

sorts of commitments as well. We

have a manifesto commitment to

deliver on UK's shared prosperity

fundi will ensure that has its fair

share.

-- and I will ensure. The way

the UK imperialist government has

precluded the Welsh government from

Brexit negotiations is putting 20

years of devolution at risk. There's

Welsh government has always played

an integral part in EU negotiations.

Will the Secretary of State commit

to continuing this well-established

practice and avoid a constitutional

crisis by ensuring the Welsh

government is directly involved in

both Brexit and trade negotiations?

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I don't

recognise the tone or content of the

Honourable Lady's points. I think we

need to recognise the EU

(Withdrawal) Bill is largely

technical piece legislation. We are

in deep engagement with the default

Administration is, particularly the

Welsh government. Only a week or so

ago the First Secretary of State or

I battered and I met with the First

Minister. -- and I met with the

First Minister. It is in my

interests and those of the Welsh

government to ensure that Wales is

well represented.

Could my right

honourable friend confirmed the good

use today about jobs and performance

of the economy and look forward to

the strength that Wales would be

able to gain when the UK leads the

European Union and reach out to the

whole world in terms of improving

the economy?

Mr Speaker, I am

grateful to my honourable friend

that his question. He rightly points

out that leaving European Union

provides new opportunities. We want

to friction is trading arrangement

with the European Union, negotiate

trade deals with other nations

around the world. Would also say

that since the referendum to leave

the European Union, Wales has

attracted some of the most

remarkable inward investment

projects are continuing to so do on

that basis.

As my right honourable

friend had an opportunity to remind

the Welsh government ministers, or

members opposite, that, at the

referendum, over 850,000 people

across Wales voted to leave the

European Union on a turnout of over

70%. The most important thing is to

respect the referendum as I get on

the governing Wales and look forward

to the future. -- and get on all

stop he does recognise that Wales

voted to leave the European Union as

the UK voted to leave the European

Union.

We have an obligation to

respond properly to that referendum,

whilst also respecting the

constitutional settlement. The EU

(Withdrawal) Bill does that but

we're working closely with the Welsh

government to ensure it meets the

needs of Wales.

Mr Speaker, the

Secretary of State has already been

quizzed on the effect of the loss of

European structural funds on the

Welsh economy. Can I specifically

asked him if the Government's

flagship growth deals will result in

a similar, or even greater, level of

funding for Wales?

Mr Speaker, I

don't need to take any lectures on

funding from the party opposite.

This was the party that refuse to

reorganise the Barnett Formula after

13 years in government and the new

fiscal framework signed this time

last year now gives an enhancement

to the Welsh settlement.

Furthermore, the growth deals in

addition to the enhanced Barnett

settlement. Can I remind them that

over the last 16 years over four

Berlin pounds of European structural

funds have been spent. In areas

where the money was spent the most

bigoted and greatest numbers to

leave. That is hardly a success of

Welsh government policy.

We remain

confident we will reach a trade

agreement to be in the interests of

Wales, the UK and the EU. It will

affect our statements as an outer

basing nation at the forefront of

global trade.

I had the pleasure of

spending some time on a farm in

Welshpool. What reassurances can the

minister give them that lamb exports

to Germany will not be hit I a 40%

Harris if we fall back on WTO rules

and lamb exports will not be

affected by large imports from New

Zealand which operate to lower

welfare standards than in England?

I

can give the same reassurances as I

have given. This government is

working to have a comprehensive free

trade agreement with the European

Union. We see opportunities to

export Welsh lamb to other parts of

the world but we have had recent

success in the Middle East. The

assurance I can give is this

government is committed to ensuring

the market in the EU and expanding

opportunities throughout the globe.

Is it not also important to look at

the opportunities for Wales from

imports and lower tariffs on food

and clothes could help particularly

benefit the least well off?

I thank

my honourable friend for his

question. The opportunities are

being grasped by Welsh businesses as

we speak. Exports from Wales have

increased by 18% in the last year.

16% increase in exports to the

European Union worried the 22%

increase in exports to the rest of

the world. Welsh manufacturers and

businesses are taking an opportunity

to export to all parts of the globe.

Last Friday's progress report on the

negotiations has been described by

the Brexit secretary as a mere

statement of intent. Is that the

position of the Government?

The

position of the Government is very

clear. There was a breakthrough last

Friday many we can move on to what

is important for Welsh businesses,

Welsh farmers and Welsh communities,

which is the trade talks which are

essential for us in Wales. The

honourable manner should

congratulate the Prime Minister on

his success last Friday. -- member.

Can I ask the minister what the

Government is doing to ensure that

Wales continues to benefit from the

positive UK wide announcements, such

as the investment in Toyota in

Derbyshire and the plant in Deeside?

Companies like Toyota and Airbus are

very important to the success of the

Welsh economy.

My right honourable

friend is right was she knows well

is extremely well. Airbus and Toyota

are key parts of the Welsh economy.

Investment in those plants and the

success of those plants in terms of

their efficiency means they are

well-placed to take advantage of

opportunities which will our way

once we leave the European Union.

They are working hard to ensure

their employers have a healthy

future after we leave the European

Union. Back is based on ensuring

they are competitive within a world

market. -- that is baked.

90% of

Welsh red meat is sold in the EE you

now. That market is already being

destroyed by meat from Romania and

Spain. -- be you. One explanation

that has been offered for a possible

remedy if Brexit happens after the

confirmation referendum that we

might have after the advisory

referendum, the only way out is to

send more Welsh lamb abroad on the

hoof rather than on the hook. Is he

happy with that explanation? Will

Brexit mean more suffering for

scented animals?

I think the whole

House will be interested in knowing

that the honourable member is

defending Welsh farmers. The Welsh

farming community is proud of

welfare standards. They are proud of

the fact they have the best Welsh

lamb and best beef available in all

parts of the European Union. They'll

be successful regardless of any

scare stories peddled by the

honourable member.

Question three.

I

commend the honourable gentleman for

his commitment to this issue and

would be delighted to see the return

of the Royal Highness the Prince of

Wales regalia to Wales. It will be

an excellent opportunity to boost

tourism in Wales if a suitable home

can be secured.

I am very glad to

hear this answer. 50 years ago

almost a billion people around the

world saw the investiture. Wales was

in homes around the world. His Royal

Highness Prince Charles's galea is

sitting in a vault beneath St

James's Palace. I may be wrong on

that point. -- regalia. It should be

on display. The people of Wales

should see it. They should be proud

of their heritage. When will we have

it?

The honourable gentleman is

passion on this issue. He has

highlighted opportunities to enhance

our tourism offer. It is something

we will work with the honourable

gentleman to try to secure. The

regalia should be in Wales, on

display, and should contribute to

our vibrant tourism sector.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I hold

regular discussions with Welsh

ministers on the European Union

withdrawal bill. At the end of

November, my right honourable friend

the Secretary of State and I met the

Prime Minister as part of our

ongoing bilateral discussions.

Yesterday, devolved administrations

meant to discuss further details.

I

have asked the Secretary of State a

number of times both orally and in

writing what would happen if the

National Assembly for Wales

withholds consent for the withdrawal

Bill. Will he now tell the House

what will happen of the National

Assembly for Wales withholds its

consent for the withdrawal Bill?

Can

I add to the descriptions of the

honourable member and Sam

optimistic. I'm optimistic I will

work with the Welsh Government and

we will lead to a consent motion. We

should be focusing on the outcomes.

That is what communities and

businesses want, whilst respecting

the constitutional settlement of the

United Kingdom. I'm sure she and I

would want the best outcomes for

business and that is what we will

focus on.

Given the result of the

referendum, shouldn't any government

which claims to represent Wales and

any party that claims to be a party

of Wales support this government and

this Prime Minister in delivering

the brakes that the people of Wales

actually voted for?

My honourable

friend makes an important point. Any

politician from Wales needs to

recognise and respect the outcome of

the referendum. That's what the

government is working to deliver.

The EU withdrawal Bill is largely a

technical piece of legislation, but

we expect the decision-making of the

Welsh Government to increase whilst

also protecting the integrity of the

UK market to ensure Welsh businesses

continue to prosper in the way they

are now.

Thank you. It is great to

be back. I missed you all so much.

Thank you for the good wishes and

support whilst I was away. A massive

thanks to my honourable friend for

standing in for me last month. With

the Secretary of State agree with me

that unless his government agrees a

common approach with devolved

nations in advance of phase two of

the negotiations, it is unlikely the

Welsh Government will pass a

legislative consent motion,

ratifying the EU withdrawal Bill?

Mr

Speaker, we are working closely with

the Welsh Government. We had another

productive meeting where proposals

whirl made and will rightly be

considered. We met the First

Minister a couple of weeks ago. This

bill is on an ongoing relationship

across government whether engagement

is positive with the Welsh

Government, local authority leaders,

businesses, and communities

themselves who will benefit from our

exit of the European Union.

I thank

the Secretary of State for his

response, I think. That would he

agree with me that the UK Government

could avoid clashing with the Welsh

Government by agreeing to amend the

EU withdrawal Bill at this stage and

by involving the Welsh Government to

draw our amendments to prevent the

power grab which would stop the

Welsh Government putting in place

its own legislation is which is

worked out and ready to go?

We are

determined to deliver as much

certainty and continuity as we can

as we leave the EU. The withdrawal

Bill focuses on delivering that. I'm

sure that's surely what the Welsh

Government once. We should be

focusing on the outcomes. This is

about providing a framework in which

business and communities can

prosper. This is where politics

needs to fit the needs of business

and communities, and not the needs

of politicians. With your

permission, I will answer questions

five and 14 together. I've always

said we will negotiate for every

nation and region of the United

Kingdom. Our goal is to secure a

deal which works for all parts of

the United Kingdom.

Following weeks

frankly of chaos, the government

realises that its original Brexit

promises were the stuff of fantasy.

Conceding on continual regulatory

announcement and Europe. Could the

Secretary of State tell us how many

Welsh jobs has government are

prepared to sacrifice to placate

Brexit hears on both sides of this

chamber?

I'm very sorry about the

town the honourable lady has taken.

It's almost as though she was

disappointed with the Prime

Minister's great success last week

in gaining an agreement with the

prospect of moving on to phase two

of the negotiations. I will happily

talk about investment and employment

opportunities and data, quite

obviously we are extremely pleased

with the unemployment data over the

recent months, where we have seen

record low levels of unemployment.

And even since the referendum, we

have seen some of the greatest

inward investment projects to the UK

and to Wales. I hope that is

something she would want to welcome,

and represent in the process.

Spent

some time this morning looking at

analysis. They provide an

interesting snapshot, they don't

provide any future views. In June

2016, it was said 100,000 jobs in

Wales were directly linked to

Europe. He said it was down two

jobs, jobs, jobs. Does he stand by

these remarks 18 months ago? Can he

tell us how many jobs in Wales he is

prepared to sacrifice and in which

sector?

If she wants to respect the

outcome of the referendum with a

majority of wills voted to leave the

European Union, I think leaving the

European Union provides new

opportunities. We want that

frictionless trading arrangement, we

want to exploit new markets around

the world. Export markets outside of

the EU are growing much faster than

exports to the EU. Wales is doing

above the national average.

Does the

Secretary of State agree it is time

for the same privileges to be

extended to the accountable and

setting parliaments of Wales and

Scotland, as Northern Ireland?

We

will negotiate a Brexit till that

works for every part of the United

Kingdom. The committee yesterday was

positive in my mind. Difference will

be debated and that is right and

proper. I would hope the honourable

member would respect the outcome of

the referendum as the UK voted.

Last

week showed how important the Irish

dimension is to the whole EU

withdrawal Bill and negotiations.

Can he give a categoric assurance

that Welsh ports will be safeguarded

and given equal treatment with

Northern Ireland when it comes to

trade, especially the well sport in

my constituency?

I share his

interest. Holyhead is important, as

is Fishguard in Pembrokeshire. I

think leaving the European Union

provides opportunities for North

West Wales and south-west Wales.

After we have left the EU, they will

be gateways to Europe in a way they

have not been until now. I think

businesses and local authorities

need to respond to growth

opportunities.

Number six.

Order. Can I remind the

House that an honourable members

should not leave the chamber until

the exchanges on his or her question

have been completed, it really is

the height of parliamentary

discourtesy. I have just been

alerted to that. It shouldn't happen

again.

Thank you. Leaving the

European Union allows us to

establish new trading opportunities

across the globe, forging ahead as

global leader in free-trade. I am

working closely with the trade

Secretary to build on the success.

Good of the honourable member to

drop in on its. We are grateful to

him.

What is my right honourable

friend doing to encourage Welsh

businesses and consumers to seize

the opportunity of a global Britain,

by boosting imports and exports and

encouraging the creation of more

good jobs?

And grateful for the

question. My right honourable friend

the Secretary of State for

International trade has established

the UK border of trade. I'm pleased

that the noble Lord sets there as a

wealth represents a. Business is

responding. Export data is

encouraging. Clearly there is more

work to do.

If the Secretary of

State is serious about his comments

of Wales being crucial, why won't

they publish the disappearing

documents?

We have published the

analyses covering all of the sectors

which are key to the Welsh economy,

from steel to inner space. Not only

have we showed them in the Commons

and the other place, we've also

shared these 800 pages with the

devolved administrations,

demonstrating the open pragmatic

approach we are taking to involving

every part of the United Kingdom.

Question seven.

Figures show that

exports from Wales grew by 19% last

year. Wells businesses also looking

to markets outside of the EU, where

exports grew by 23% over the same

period. We will continue to support

businesses in Wales to help them

make the most of the new

opportunities.

Amazing businesses

are the lifeblood of the local

economy. Tourism and food and drink.

Does he agree with me that Brexit

will provide additional training

opportunities for them and companies

across Wales?

I'm grateful for the

question. She is a strong champion

for Cornwall. I think Cornwall has

responded to the new opportunities

in leaving the European Union. Wales

is doing rightly the same. Exports

to areas outside the EU are growing

at a much sharper rate than those

within the EU. Wales is doing well

ahead of the UK average.

One of the

trade opportunities we already have

is Ford in Bridgend, which is at

risk after the Jaguar Land Rover

early closure. What is he doing to

protect jobs?

He raises an important

point. I met the unions recently and

I speak to Ford on a regular basis.

I'm pleased the Welsh Government

responded to their suggestion that I

join a working group. We are

determined to work together to

deliver the best outcome.

Question

number eight.

With permission, I

will answer question number eight

and ten together. We now have begun

formal negotiations for a North

Wales Grosse Ile. Local areas have

shared their proposals and I was

delighted to host a briefing session

for North Wales MPs earlier this

week. This will be an exciting deal

for the region.

Will he outline how

this will build on the Mersey deal?

He is right. The cross-border

connectivity is essential to the

success of North Wales. It's a key

part of the North Wales Grosse deal.

Connectivity allows the north-west

of England and the north Wales to

benefit from the economic success

story available on both sides the

border.

He will remember from a

joint ministerial visit that there

is enthusiasm for the steel on both

sides of the border. Can he assure

me that enthusiasm will carry

through not just to the north-west

of England but also all the way

through to the Humber region, given

the alliances between Liverpool and

Hull?

I do indeed remember the visit

to Chester. A great success. I'm

proud that the new northern

powerhouse minister was at the

briefing we had at the Wales Office

on Monday. Businesses and local

authorities in North Wales

understand the power of the Northern

Powerhouse. What we know North Wales

has a lot to offer. The cross-border

deal is essential to the economic

well-being of North Wales.

Will the

Minister please meet with the

all-party group for North Wales

Mersey deed to discuss the detail of

the growth deal? And will he please

show me the colour of his money?

The

honourable member is the chair of

the all-party group and I will be

delighted to meet with him. I'm

aware of the group's work but I

think this deal is ideal for North

Wales. That means we have to work

with all stakeholders and partners,

including the honourable member.

And

employment has risen by 10% in my

constituency, showing the need for a

growth deal as a matter of urgency.

Will he focus on cross-border issues

to improve transport links to North

Wales?

I thank him for that

question. I'm aware of his support

for this growth deal. It's fair to

say the unemployment situation in

Wales has seen a improvement since

2010. 54,000 more jobs in Wales. In

most constituencies, unemployment is

falling. I can assure the honourable

gentleman that ever cross-border

deal will help us constituency, we

will help to deliver it.

Number

nine.

Thank you. The Chancellor

announced additional support for

Universal Credit claimants. And

advancement will be made earlier.

All payments will be available from

the first day.

The analysis from the

DWP shows that half of those with

rent arrears under Universal Credit

said they had gone into arrears

after making a claim. Is the

Secretary of State content with the

fact that more Welsh families who

are currently not in arrears will

begin in debt once they have made

their Universal Credit claim --

begin 2018 in debt.

I don't

recognise that doom and gloom. Staff

are telling me that this is the

biggest change in a generation. The

manager said in his 40 years of

working for DWP, this was the most

positive and customer focused change

he had been aware of. A change

helping people back into employment.

The honourable lady should support

the