Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Mark Williams Excerpts
Wednesday 26th April 2017

(7 years ago)

Commons Chamber
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Alun Cairns Portrait Alun Cairns
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I pay tribute to the work that my hon. Friend does on supporting the rural economy, particularly in his constituency. We maintain a close relationship with both the farming unions in Wales, and most of those meetings take place in his constituency. That demonstrates the active relationship that we have with key stakeholders as well as with the Welsh Government.

Mark Williams Portrait Mr Mark Williams (Ceredigion) (LD)
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If the Secretary of State has such a close relationship with the farming unions, how does he respond to their request for a full assessment of the impact on Welsh agriculture if we have to fall back on World Trade Organisation tariffs? Is it not obvious that 40% tariffs would destroy Welsh agriculture?

Alun Cairns Portrait Alun Cairns
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I am disappointed with the hon. Gentleman’s approach. He is assuming the worst-case scenario. We are having this general election in order to have strong and stable leadership in the challenging negotiations ahead. There are 27 EU nations that will be challenging everything as we negotiate to leave the European Union. Strong and stable leadership is needed now more than ever before.