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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to help build partnerships between European and UK businesses.

My rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State maintains a positive relationship with a range of specialist chambers of commerce focused on business operating between the UK and European partners. In June alone he has spoken with the British-Irish Chamber of Commerce and the Spanish Chamber of Commerce to hear their perspective and to promote partnership between our respective business communities.

The Department is also working to facilitate closer links with European partners in key sectors. In the automotive sector, the German and UK trade associations are collaborating closely, while in the aerospace sector we will this month welcome delegations from across Europe to the Farnborough International Air Show.