Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Wales and Welsh Businesses

Tuesday 13 October 2020 · 2 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Jonathan Edwards asked about steps to promote Wales and Welsh businesses internationally.
  • The FCDO partners with DIT, the Secretary of State's office, and the Welsh Government to promote Wales globally.
  • The GREAT Britain campaign and the GREAT challenge fund support UK strengths and Welsh businesses worldwide.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jonathan Edwards PC
Wales Business & Trade
Context

The question arises from a need to promote Wales and its businesses globally, considering current efforts and future goals. The context includes the GREAT Britain campaign and the GREAT challenge fund.

Question

What steps he is taking to promote (a) Wales and (b) Welsh businesses internationally. The FCDO works in partnership with several departments and governments to showcase the UK's strengths, encouraging global engagement. However, there are concerns about the effectiveness of these efforts for Wales specifically.

Answer from Wendy Morton

The FCDO works in partnership with DIT, the Secretary of State's office, and the Welsh Government to promote Wales internationally. The GREAT Britain campaign showcases UK strengths globally, generating jobs and growth. The GREAT challenge fund supports Welsh business and culture worldwide, with over 40 projects promoting devolved nations last year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner was asking specifically about steps taken to promote Wales and its businesses internationally, while the answer provided general information on UK-wide promotion efforts without specifying concrete actions for Wales.

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Q2 Jonathan Edwards PC
Scotland Wales
Context

The Federation of Small Businesses calls for a greater international footprint by the Welsh Government, while some in Wales doubt that the UK government acknowledges the existence of Wales as a nation. The context involves the Conservative party's pledge to scrap the Department for International Relations and Development.

Question

Diolch yn fawro Mr Speaker. For some bizarre reason, the Conservative party in Wales is pledging to scrap the Welsh Government's Department for International Relations and Development, yet the Federation of Small Businesses is calling for a greater international footprint by the Welsh Government. Will the Minister support the Welsh Government to expand their independent international presence, since many in Wales have little faith that so-called global Britain will even acknowledge the existence of Wales as a nation?

Answer from Wendy Morton

I reiterate our commitment to promoting the UK as one whole UK. The Department for International Trade promotes British trade and investment across the world, engaging regularly with the Welsh Government on their offer to businesses in devolved nations. It includes promotion of capital projects like Cardiff's Central Quay and Shaping Swansea regeneration.

Not addressed: The questioner was seeking a commitment from the minister to support an independent international presence for Wales, while the answer focused on promoting the UK as one whole without addressing specific support for Welsh initiatives.

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