(Cheltenham)
(Con):...Against that backdrop, is it any surprise that
the deal has been loudly welcomed by Rolls-Royce, Siemens, the Association of the
British Pharmaceutical Industry and the chief executive of
UKHospitality? The BioIndustry Association supports it—I could go
on and on. The chief executive of BAE Systems, which employs many
people in Cheltenham, welcomed the transition period, and GE
Aviation, a significant employer in Gloucestershire, said:
“Ratification of a withdrawal agreement would provide business
with the certainty it needs. In contrast, a disorderly ‘no deal’
exit in March would present considerable challenges for our
operations, supply chains and customers.”
(Rugby) (Con):...The
Committee heard from other manufacturing sectors. We heard from
aerospace that the deal is not perfect, but the longer it takes
to get certainty, the more likely it is that investment decisions
will go against the UK. The food and drink sector spoke of real
concerns. Business welcomes the language in the declaration but
is bothered about business that would otherwise have come to the
UK going overseas. Only yesterday, the chief executive
of Rolls-Royce, which has a plant in my
constituency, stated in a letter:
“I have been clear that a deal is better than no deal
for Rolls-Royce, our customers, suppliers and
employees. Agreement of the Government’s deal will provide
certainty which all businesses require and will ensure an orderly
withdrawal from the European Union.”
(Salford and Eccles)
(Lab):...Significant manufacturers such as
Bombardier, Rolls-Royce and Cobham have applied
to come under the jurisdiction of regulators in other EU
countries, and this week Aston Martin triggered its contingency
plans—at an accumulating cost, according to its chief executive.
Indeed, as we have been sat here today, Honda has announced that
it is doing the same and implementing its contingency
plans...
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