Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)
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Wednesday Volume 512 23 June 2010 No. 20 HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) Wednesday 23 June 2010 £5·00 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2010 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Parliamentary Click-Use Licence, available online through the Office of Public Sector Information website at www.opsi.gov.uk/click-use/ Enquiries to the Office of Public Sector Information, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU; e-mail: [email protected] 275 23 JUNE 2010 276 Mr Jones: Yes, my hon. Friend is entirely right. The House of Commons private sector is the key to future growth in Wales, which is why yesterday’s Budget announced a major Wednesday 23 June 2010 package of corporation tax reform that is aimed at making Britain—and, of course, Wales—one of the most competitive parts of the G20. In particular, the The House met at half-past Eleven o’clock exemption of up to £5,000 of employer national insurance contributions for each of the first 10 employees, which applies outside London and the south-east, will be of PRAYERS benefit to Wales. [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Dwyfor Meirionnydd) (PC): May I associate myself with the condolences expressed to the family of the late Lord Walker and also congratulate BUSINESS BEFORE QUESTIONS the right hon. Lady and the hon. Gentleman on their appointment to their posts? LONDON LOCAL AUTHORITIES BILL [LORDS] Yesterday, there was a recognition by the Government Ordered, of the need to grow economies outside the south-east of That the promoters of the London Local Authorities Bill England. We have argued long and hard about the [Lords], which was originally introduced in the House of Lords in overheating of the south-east and its cost to the north Session 2007–08 on 22 January 2008, may have leave to proceed of England and Wales. Will the Minister consider the with the Bill in the current Session according to the provisions of idea of either regionalising corporation tax according Standing Order 188B (Revival of bills).—(The First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means.) to gross value added or devolving it altogether to the Welsh Assembly so that the needs of business can be met and real support provided for it? Oral Answers to Questions Mr Jones: I am glad to hear that the hon. Gentleman welcomes the announcements in yesterday’s Budget. The announcement of the exemption of up to £5,000 of WALES national insurance contributions for new employment outside London and the south-east will certainly be of benefit; to that extent, it is a major departure, which I The Secretary of State was asked— am sure that the entire House will welcome. Business Relocation Mr Llwyd: May I press the hon. Gentleman on the 1. Jonathan Evans (Cardiff North) (Con): What recent question of corporation tax? Does he have any problem discussions she has had with ministerial colleagues on with that? At the end of the day, it is his Government’s encouraging the relocation of businesses to Wales. policy in the north of Ireland, so why does it not apply [3032] to Wales? The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales Mr Jones: I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will (Mr David Jones): Before I answer my hon. Friend, I am welcome yesterday’s announcements. There is no plan sure that the House will want to join my right hon. to regionalise corporation tax further in the United Friend and me in expressing condolences to the family Kingdom, but I am sure that yesterday’s announcements of the right hon. Lord Walker of Worcester, whose will offer a major boost to the Welsh economy. death at the age of 78 was announced earlier this morning. A distinguished Member of the other place National Assembly for Wales and a former Secretary of State for Wales, he was a good friend to the Welsh people. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I are 2. Philip Davies (Shipley) (Con): What recent committed to attracting more inward investment to discussions she has had with the First Minister on the Wales, as we believe it will be a key driver for future proposed referendum on the law-making powers of the economic growth. National Assembly for Wales. [3033] Jonathan Evans: First, may I associate myself with 8. Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight) (Con): What what my hon. Friend said about Lord Walker? May I recent discussions she has had with the First Minister also take the opportunity to welcome my hon. Friend on the proposed referendum on law-making powers of the Under-Secretary and my right hon. Friend the the National Assembly for Wales. [3040] Secretary of State to their new responsibilities and to wish them well in the challenges that lie ahead? The Secretary of State for Wales (Mrs Cheryl Gillan): Given the recognition even by the First Minister both May I also echo the words of my hon. Friend in in an interview on “The Andrew Marr Show” and recognising the tremendous work that the right hon. during the Welsh Labour conference this year that there Lord Walker of Worcester did in this House as one of are not enough private sector jobs in Wales, does my my predecessors as Secretary of State for Wales from hon. Friend agree that success depends on driving up 1987 to 1990? I am sure that all our thoughts are with private sector jobs in the Principality in the future? his family at this sad time. 277 Oral Answers23 JUNE 2010 Oral Answers 278 I have had regular discussions with the First Minister neither a no vote nor a yes vote. I and my Minister will on the proposed referendum on the law-making powers remain neutral, which is the proper thing to do. The of the National Assembly for Wales. hon. Lady needs to familiarise herself with her own party, as I believe that there are split views in the Philip Davies: Given that so few people in Wales Labour party as well. actively voted for the National Assembly in the first place, will my right hon. Friend consider having a Mr Mark Williams (Ceredigion) (LD): The Secretary turnout threshold for any referendum on whether to of State will be aware that some of us on these Benches give the Assembly more powers so that at least a respectable will campaign with great enthusiasm for the referendum, number of people vote before we make any constitutional and were disappointed that the referendum that we changes? hoped for in October did not come about. Does she think the fact that it did not occur reflects on the Mrs Gillan: I do not know whether my hon. Friend is inactivity of the previous Government? Furthermore, aware of it, but there was a threshold of 40% for the in welcoming her news about the question, may I ask previous referendum. I am afraid to tell the House, whether the Government will make a speedy commitment however, that I am bound by the Government of Wales to a referendum in the spring of next year? Act 2006, in accordance with which there is no threshold, but a simple majority. It is therefore important, I believe, Mrs Gillan: I thank my hon. Friend for that question. that the electorate in Wales uses its right to vote on an As we said in the coalition agreement, and as I said important issue. I hope that when the referendum is before the election, I am determined to allow the people run, they will turn out in numbers. of Wales to decide in a referendum. It is only polite to accede to the request of the Assembly, which, after all, Mr Andrew Turner: What progress has the Secretary voted unanimously for a referendum, and I am sad that of State made on the question for the referendum? the previous Secretary of State commenced no work on the question and confined himself to work on the order Mrs Gillan: No work was done in the Department on that we will eventually lay before the House. I am the question prior to the general election. I am pleased pleased to confirm that I am sending the preamble and to tell the House, however, that the project board has question to the Electoral Commission. produced a question and a preceding statement for the referendum on law-making powers for the National Mr Speaker: May I just gently ask the Secretary of Assembly for Wales, and I am sending it today to the State to face the House rather than having her back to Electoral Commission for the 10 weeks that it needs to the Chair? That would be very helpful. carry out its work in proving that question. In the short time I have been in the office, I think I have achieved Mr Peter Hain (Neath) (Lab): May I join in the more than my predecessor did in the time from 17 February, commiserations to Lord Walker’s family on his death? when notice was given to him that a referendum was May I congratulate the right hon. Lady, especially on required. being the first woman Secretary of State for Wales? However, as accounts given to the media have traduced Paul Murphy (Torfaen) (Lab): May I congratulate the truth, I must ask whether she is aware that as the right hon. Lady on her new job? Despite what the Secretary of State, on Monday 10 May, in the Wales London commentariat say, it is a very important job Office, I specifically asked and received an assurance indeed.