Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Public Bodies: Buying British

Wednesday 26 February 2020 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 5 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • John Spellar questioned the Minister about the opportunity to support British jobs and workers in the automotive sector and public procurement after Brexit.
  • David Jones inquired about ensuring Welsh firms have the chance to bid for contracts post-transition process.
  • Jessica Morden asked the Secretary of State to lobby the Department for Transport to procure Welsh and UK steel and trains from CAF in Newport.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 John Spellar Lab Warley
Wales Business & Trade Local Government
Context

Welsh police forces are purchasing heavily from France and Germany despite the importance of the automotive industry to Wales.

Question

Given that we have come out of the EU, should not an opportunity be taken in the automotive sector and across public procurement to support British jobs and workers?

Answer from Simon Hart (Secretary of State for Wales)

I can completely agree with the right hon. Gentleman, and that opportunity is now simpler, given that we have left the EU. Our job here and with the Welsh Government is to make sure that those procurement rules reflect the fantastic products Wales has to offer.

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Q2 David Jones Con Clwyd West
Scotland Brexit Business & Trade
Context

Welsh construction and civil engineering firms complain that EU procurement rules prevent them from bidding for contracts in Wales.

Question

Can my right hon. Friend confirm that, when we have completed the transitional process, everything possible will be done to ensure that Welsh firms have the chance to bid for those contracts?

Answer from Simon Hart (Secretary of State for Wales)

Absolutely. I could not agree with my right hon. Friend more. That is one of the great benefits of leaving the European Union.

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Q3 Jessica Morden Lab Montgomeryshire
Transport Wales
Context

HS2 will require about 3 million tonnes of steel and new high-speed trains.

Question

Will the Secretary of State lobby the Department for Transport to procure Welsh and UK steel and trains from CAF in Newport for the project?

Answer from Simon Hart (Secretary of State for Wales)

Yes, that will definitely be an objective of the UK Government. As the hon. Lady knows, we take the future of the steel industry in Wales extremely seriously, and I want to ensure that every opportunity it has to contribute to UK infrastructure projects is taken.

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Q4 Fay Jones Con Brecon and Radnorshire
Business & Trade Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Crickhowell in Fay Jones' constituency was severely affected by recent flooding.

Question

Along with public bodies, will the Secretary of State join me in urging all consumers to buy British and buy local?

Answer from Simon Hart (Secretary of State for Wales)

I know that my hon. Friend's constituency was particularly hard hit by recent weather events, and her recognition of that is to be commended. I also completely agree that everything we need to do as a UK Government, in collaboration with our colleagues in Cardiff—I keep making this point—will deliver the sort of result that she is seeking.

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Q5 Ben Lake PC Ceredigion
Wales Business & Trade
Context

For every pound spent with a small or medium-sized enterprise, 63p is re-spent locally compared to only 40p for larger chains.

Question

What steps will the Government take to enable public bodies in Wales to buy more local goods, products and services?

Answer from Simon Hart (Secretary of State for Wales)

Part of the problem has been caused by the restrictions imposed on us by our relationship with Europe. The change in those terms will free up the opportunity for the UK and Welsh Governments to ensure that procurement rules are changed as well, and to unpick the problems to which the hon. Gentleman has referred.

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