Gavin Williamson
Main Page: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - South Staffordshire)Department Debates - View all Gavin Williamson's debates with the Wales Office
(12 years ago)
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Gavin Williamson (South Staffordshire) (Con)
11. What recent discussions she has had with ministerial colleagues and others on the aerospace industry in Wales.
The Secretary of State for Wales (Mrs Cheryl Gillan)
I have regular discussions with ministerial colleagues and other organisations on a range of issues, including the aerospace industry in Wales.
Gavin Williamson
Does the Secretary of State agree that, while the UK Government have taken a lead in establishing enterprise zones, the onus is now on the Welsh Government to ensure that their enterprise zone for the aerospace industry in St Athan is a success?
Mrs Gillan
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. As far as enterprise zones are concerned, a great deal depends on what the Labour Welsh Government will do, because we have capital allowances for only one enterprise zone, which is already in Deeside. The enterprise zone to which he refers will be crucial to the UK and will secure work on the next generation of aircraft, because some 27,000 large aircraft, worth $3 trillion, will be needed over the next 20 years, around 7,000 new helicopters will be required within the next decade and there is a huge potential future market in unmanned air vehicles, and I want us to benefit from that demand in the aerospace business in Wales.