(Bridgend) (Lab):
The “Companies & Markets” section of the Financial Times
carried an article this Monday on how investment in the car
industry has slumped amid Brexit concerns. That issue was raised
with me numerous times during the election, as I have a large
Ford plant in my constituency. What is clear from the article and
from the experience of Ford workers is that new investment is not
coming to the plant, and it has slumped by 30% across the UK. The
Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has said that there
will be a devastating impact, and it will “permanently damage”
the UK car industry, if this is not addressed when Britain leaves
the customs union and the single market. May we have a debate on
the impact of Brexit on the Automotive industry?
The Leader of the House of Commons (Andrea
Leadsom): The hon. Lady raises an important issue for
her constituency. The UK has a thriving Automotive industry, and
I am sure she will be delighted that we are bringing forward
measures to support electric vehicles and to be a world leader in
that area. She may also be pleased to know that the Department
for International Trade figures released today show a
record-breaking number of foreign direct investment projects
coming into the UK—up 2% on the 2015-16 figure. The direction is
absolutely the right one, but she may well wish to raise specific
issues for Ford in her constituency through a Westminster Hall
debate.
