(Crawley) (Con): What
recent discussions his Department has had with the aerospace
industry on the negotiations for the UK leaving the EU. [909883]
(Witney) (Con):
What recent discussions his Department has had with the aerospace
industry on the negotiations for the UK leaving the EU. [909890]
The Minister of State, Department for Exiting the
European Union (Mr David Jones): Engagement with
industry is a central element of our plan to build a national
consensus around our negotiating position. The Department has
been listening and talking to aerospace manufacturers and
industry groups across the UK and internationally, including
Rolls Royce, Airbus, ADS and the Aerospace Growth Partnership.
: Thank you, Mr
Speaker, for your forbearance, if nothing else. [Interruption.]
And for much more. Does my right hon. Friend the Minister welcome
Boeing’s investment in the new hangar maintenance facility at
Gatwick airport as proof of the expanding aviation sector, even
post Brexit?
Mr Jones: Yes, indeed. Boeing has announced 100
new jobs at its facility at Gatwick. Aviation and the aerospace
industry are vital parts of our economy, and we have no doubt
that they will continue to thrive after we have left the European
Union.
: I am grateful to
the Minister for mentioning Airbus, which has a very large
component at RAF Brize Norton in my constituency. Will the
Minister please tell me what discussions he has had with such
companies to reassure them that in a post-Brexit Britain, not
only will their supply chains be secure, but they will be well
placed to make the most of a global, outward-facing Britain?
Mr Jones: I have had several discussions with
various aerospace companies, including Airbus, which I met in
Bristol recently. We do understand that supply chains across
Europe are heavily integrated, but there is a clear mutual
interest in agreeing trading arrangements. The British aerospace
industry is the most important in Europe, and there is a mutual
interest in ensuring that the relationships persist beyond
Brexit.
