NATIONAL SKILLS ACADEMY FOR THE PROCESS INDUSTRY

Early day motion 158, tabled 8 November 2007 by Ashok Kumar (Labour). Signed by 34 members.

That this House recognises the efforts of those who have collaborated to bring about a National Skills Academy for the Process Industry; acknowledges how proud those who live and work in the North East are that such a nationally important project will be based in their region; notes that the work of the North East Process Industry Cluster and other regional chemical initiatives such as Chemicals North West, Yorkshire and Humber Chemical Focus and their Sector Skills Council COGENT, with their supporting regional development agencies and sub regional partners, should be congratulated for demonstrating the power of collaboration; further notes that the impact of this very diverse, technically challenging and world leading sector should not be underestimated; and recognises that chemicals, petrochemicals, polymer and pharmaceuticals together represent £100 billion of business in the UK, with gross value added per employee that is 46 per cent. higher than the national average, that it is a much underestimated industrial sector which should be regarded as one of the country's biggest and best industries, that it is, in fact, the UK's last remaining net exporting industrial sector, and that those working within it should be proud of their achievements in such a competitive, globalised industry.

Signatures by party: Labour 28, Conservative 3, Liberal Democrat 2, DUP 1.