Speeches by Hoare.

“To encourage the venture capitalists through policy—okay. Mr Rupprecht?”

“All very helpful answers. Thank you.”

“In the business roundtable that we held in May—this is a question specifically to Mr Greenslade, if I may—businesses told us that they have experienced inconsistent engagement from the civil service and wider officials. That is particularly the case when officials change roles. We all know that the one thing that busin…”

“While understanding the need to respect the devolution settlement, is there any merit in Westminster, Cardiff and the local authorities considering the creation of a one-stop shop or front door for investment, which can then provide signposts and advice, rather than people either having to think to come to the CBI, or …”

“Just on that point, and just so we do not lose this thought when we, as a Committee, start to think about our reports—I think part of the answer to this is “yes”, but it strikes me that there would be merit, if access to sites or finding sites and space is a premium and a difficulty, in triaging on a market-led demand …”

“Thank you very much.”

“Yes, of course. It would be a bit unfair of us to test your memory. What can the UK Government be doing to promote inward investment opportunities? Allied to that, how best can we make sure that the Government are not using, at a time when the public finances are under pressure, taxpayers’ money where the private secto…”

“I have huge sympathy with all of you who seem to be saying as an underlying message that clusters, and the governmental support that can sit behind them and the initiative, can act as a driver. But ultimately, markets and investors decide, and they may take decisions across a range of things, not necessarily because a …”

“Yes, I think it was just Dr Hayward who had answered. Would colleagues like me to remind them of the question?”

“Mr Greenslade?”

“Mr Carter?”

“They always do. Thank you, Minister.”

“I thought we were going to have a punch-up!”

“Minister, you are right to point out that there have been conversations, debates and all the rest of it. When the Home Office, the Department for Education, the Department of Health, the Ministry of Justice or the MOD has a punch-up with Treasury leading up to a Budget, a fiscal event, a spending review or whatever, it…”

“I just want to turn briefly, if I may, to intergovernmental relations; I chair PACAC for the House and have responsibility for scrutinising this area. I just want a word or two, Minister, if you might, on the effectiveness, in your assessment, of the inter-ministerial group for environment, food and rural affairs and h…”

“Minister, I do not disagree with much of what you said with regard to the desirability of future-proofing agriculture, both in Wales and, indeed, across the United Kingdom, with a cemented-in next generation. Most will know that it is tough work. It is long hours. It is antisocial. It is 365 days a year, particularly i…”

“Good afternoon, Minister. It is nice to see you. In our first session in this inquiry, back on 4 June, we heard from three of the largest farming groups in Wales. I know that you will not be at all surprised to hear this, but they were best described as being aghast at the proposed tax changes announced in the Budget, …”

“As a sponsor of the Climate and Nature Bill, I welcome the Secretary of State’s statement this afternoon. He is right to highlight that this is a national crisis, and many of us across the House are right to point out that it cannot be ignored and that inaction has too great a cost, but he will be aware that the costs …”

“I beg to move, That (1) the transcript of unreported oral evidence taken from Mr Baxter by the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee in private session on 11 November 2009 be referred to the Committee of Privileges; (2) the Committee consider the petition from the Secretary to the Omagh Bombing inquiry in relation to that…”

“I agree wholeheartedly with the hon. Gentleman. If this place is not a champion of justice and its pursuit as a high court of Parliament, what is it?”