Oral Answers to Questions

Karen Lumley Excerpts

Wednesday 16th March 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Jones]

Yes, indeed. The proposal is that hubs should be provided in communities, but the technology that may be used thereafter will not be specified, so wi-fi or other appropriate solutions can be used depending on the nature of the area.

[Karen Lumley (Redditch) (Con)]

5. What recent discussions she has had with ministerial colleagues on measures to attract inward investment to Wales.

[John Howell (Henley) (Con)]

7. What recent discussions she has had with ministerial colleagues on measures to attract inward investment to Wales.

[The Secretary of State for Wales (Mrs Cheryl Gillan)]

Clearly, with so many of our companies in Wales having strong links with Japan, and given that some of our inward investment comes from there, I am sure the whole House would like to join me on behalf of Wales in sending our deepest condolences for the appalling tragedy.

I have regular discussions with ministerial colleagues on measures to attract inward investment to Wales. Last month I hosted a trilateral meeting between the First Minister, the Deputy First Minister and the UK Minister responsible for trade and investment to discuss how we can work together to bring much-needed investment to Wales. We will be meeting again shortly.

[Karen Lumley]

Does the Secretary of State agree that Wales has much to offer business, as the Welsh Affairs Committee heard yesterday from Sir Terry Matthews? Can she also tell us what she is doing to work with the Welsh Assembly to bring inward investment to Wales?