HC Deb 23 July 1997 vol 298 c952
Q11. Mr. Barry Jones

To ask the Prime Minister when he proposes to visit north-east Wales. [8396]

The Prime Minister

I was in Wales last Friday. I have no immediate plans to visit north-east Wales, but I should be delighted to do so at a later time.

Mr. Jones

May I persuade my right hon. Friend to visit the British Aerospace Airbus factory in my constituency, which employs 2,800 of the most successful and skilful aeroplane makers imaginable? Is my right hon. Friend aware that they make the wings of the European Airbus and hope to make those of the future large aircraft? Do the Government intend to ensure that that project becomes airborne? My constituents want it to be backed by Britain, so that they can make the wings of the aircraft.

The Prime Minister

We strongly support the Airbus project. I pay tribute to my hon. Friend and to all the employees in his constituency and elsewhere who have contributed so much to it. If there is any application for assistance we shall, of course, have to consider it in the normal way, but we are fully behind the project. It is a very exciting project for the future and it will help to guarantee that the skills that are so desperately needed for the economy will remain in this country.