Oral Answers to Questions

Alan Mak Excerpts
Tuesday 8th November 2016

(7 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Nick Hurd Portrait Mr Hurd
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That is a very defeatist statement from someone whom I associate with sunny optimism. It is a priority for the Secretary of State that Ministers get out there and engage with areas and with LEPs to understand their priorities fully. The hon. Gentleman is too defeatist about the competitiveness of British manufacturing.

Alan Mak Portrait Mr Alan Mak (Havant) (Con)
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As Britain leaves the European Union, the high-value manufacturing catapult centres will play a key role in protecting innovation in the manufacturing sector. Will the Minister continue to support these centres, so that we protect our competitiveness in the future?

Nick Hurd Portrait Mr Hurd
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I thank my hon. Friend for highlighting the catapult centres. We are extremely proud of them and we gave a manifesto commitment to continue to support them. They play a fundamental role in our vision of an innovation-led economy.