Oral Answers to Questions

Ben Lake Excerpts

Wednesday 5th December 2018 Commons Chamber

[Alun Cairns]

I pay tribute to what my hon. Friend does to promote businesses across the whole United Kingdom. He gives me an opportunity to highlight the fact that, in less than two weeks’ time, the tolls on the Severn crossing will be abolished for the first time in 52 years—a major boost to the economy of the south-west of England as well as south Wales.

[Ben Lake (Ceredigion) (PC)]

Question 8, Mr Speaker.

[Mr Speaker]

The hon. Gentleman can legitimately shoehorn his concern about broadband into this inquiry. Go ahead.

[Ben Lake (Ceredigion) (PC)]

8. Diolch, Mr Speaker. Many premises in Ceredigion are still awaiting confirmation of whether they will be in scope for the next phase of the Welsh Government’s Superfast Cymru scheme. Will the Secretary of State ensure that his Government’s Wales superfast broadband programme and “outside-in” initiative give priority to premises that may find themselves beyond the scope of the Welsh Government’s scheme?

[Alun Cairns]

I pay tribute to the hon. Gentleman, who is a strong campaigner in this area. We are determined to work closely both with him and with the Welsh Government to deliver the best broadband possible in the constituency of Ceredigion and in all other parts of Wales. Already, £69 million has been spent, in addition to the gainshare, but there is more that we can do, particularly in linking businesses with broadband. I know that the hon. Gentleman is a strong supporter of that campaign.