Oral Answers to Questions

Lord Bellingham Excerpts

Wednesday 19th October 2016 Commons Chamber

[Guto Bebb]

This is a fair point. That would be appreciated by passengers in Wales. As part of the devolution package, that is something to be agreed between the Department for Transport and the Welsh Government, but I am sure they will have heard the hon. Lady’s comments.

[Sir Henry Bellingham (North West Norfolk) (Con)]

8. What plans his Department has to work with the Welsh Government on extending the roll-out of broadband in remote rural areas of Wales.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Guto Bebb)]

Ensuring rural areas of Wales benefit from our broadband roll-out is one of my key priorities. The UK Government have supported investment in broadband across rural Wales, including £14.2 million in Powys and £13.9 million in Gwynedd. The Secretary of State recently had positive discussions with the Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and the Minister for Science and Skills on future work to roll out broadband in Wales.

[Sir Henry Bellingham]

I thank the Minister for that reply. Does he agree with me that superfast broadband is a key driver for successful diversification in remote rural economies, and does he agree that it is time BT Openreach raised its game?

[Guto Bebb]

I am sure the mailbox of every MP would highlight the fact that it is time for BT Openreach to raise its game. On the importance of broadband to rural economic development, I can only agree fully with my hon. Friend. In my constituency of Aberconwy we have a call centre in Llanrwst, which is only in place as a result of the broadband roll-out encouraged by this Government’s funding.