Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the significance of Newport Wafer Fab for the UK's semiconductor industry; and what assessment his Department has made of the implications for its policies of potential Chinese ownership of that factory.

The Government appreciates the vital role of the semiconductor sector in the global economy.

As an open economy, we welcome foreign trade and investment where it supports UK growth and jobs, meets our stringent legal and regulatory requirements and does not compromise our national security. Where we identify concerns, we will not hesitate to use our powers to protect national security.

We are unable to comment on the details of businesses' commercial transactions, or on national security assessments. The Government is considering the case and will continue to monitor the situation closely.