The Economy

Part of Opposition Day — [18th Allotted Day] – in the House of Commons at 4:34 pm on 22 June 2011.

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Photo of Owen Smith Owen Smith Shadow Minister (Wales) 4:34, 22 June 2011

I answer candidly that we have already said that we need a rebalancing of our economy. On both sides of the House, there was far too great an emphasis on the belief that we were in a post-industrial society and manufacturing was not an important part of the mix. We have learned the lessons, as I hope Government Members have. I hope that there will therefore be an active industrial policy from the Government, like the one that the Opposition are talking about. That is the only way in which we will improve manufacturing.